Chavez May Head to Brazil for Cancer Treatment

Posted July 15th, 2011 at 1:40 pm (UTC-5)
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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez could soon be traveling to Brazil as part of his ongoing battle against cancer.

Brazil's official news agency said Friday the Venezuelan leader is expected to arrive in the coming days after working out details of the visit with the staff of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

Mr. Chavez is expected to receive treatment at the Syrian-Lebanese Hospital in Sao Paolo.

On Thursday, Mr. Chavez told supporters at a rally in Caracas that his battle against cancer is one of the biggest fights of his life. He had previously said he may undergo chemotherapy or radiation.

The Venezuelan leader has not said what kind of cancer he is battling. He returned to Venezuela on July 4 after getting treatment in Cuba. He has assured Venezuelans that he intends to remain in control of the country, which is South America's biggest oil producer.

The 56-year-old president, an outspoken critic of the United States, took office in 1999.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chavez has announced on the Twitter social networking site Friday the visit of Peruvian President-elect Ollanta Humala.

Mr. Chavez Friday asked Venezuelans to give Mr. Humala their “most patriotic” welcome.