Chavez to undergo new round of cancer treatment

CARACAS—Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Saturday that he will undergo his next round of cancer treatment at home instead of Cuba.

Chavez said he will begin his third phase of chemotherapy soon at the Military Hospital in Caracas. He had the last two rounds of chemotherapy in Cuba.

“I’m not going to go to Cuba this time. In the coming hours, between today and tomorrow we’ll be preparing for the third cycle,” Chavez said during a televised Cabinet meeting.

He said his medical team reached the decision on Friday after his latest medical tests.

The Venezuelan leader underwent surgery in Cuba that removed a cancerous tumor from his pelvic region in June. He has not specified where the tumor was located but said the latest follow-up tests haven’t detected any sign of malignant cells in his body.

He said the chemotherapy is a preventive measure aimed at preventing cancer cells from reappearing.

Chavez has appeared with his head shaved the past few weeks after his hair began to fall out as a result of chemotherapy.

The president said he expects to disappear from public view in the coming days but will remain in contact with government officials and his supporters by phone and Twitter.