Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez sought to reassure his people, telling them he is recovering from his fourth round of

chemotherapy and gearing up for a re-election bid next year.

Mr. Chavez said on state television Sunday he hoped this was his last round of treatment. He returned from Cuba Thursday after completing treatment.

Mr. Chavez underwent surgery in Cuba in June to remove a tumor from his pelvic region. He has not revealed what type of cancer he's battling.

The self-proclaimed revolutionary was first elected in 1998.

On Saturday, opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez announced his plans to challenge the longtime president after an inter-American human rights court overturned a ban on his candidacy.