Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is denying reports his health is in decline, countering an article in the U.S.-based EL Nuevo Herald saying he had been hospitalized.

Mr. Chavez spoke by telephone to Venezuelan state television Thursday, urging people not to pay attention to what he said were rumors. He said he is working at “half-speed” while recovering from chemotherapy treatments.

Chavez had a cancerous growth removed from his pelvic area in June and has undergone four rounds of chemotherapy in Cuba since then.

He has pledged to run for a new six-year term in next year's elections.