CARACAS, Dec 9 (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
returns to Cuba on Sunday for more surgery after a recurrence of
cancer led him to name a successor for the first time in case
the disease ends his 14-year dominance of the OPEC nation.

Throngs of shocked supporters gathered in squares across the
South American country to pray for and show solidarity with the
58-year-old socialist leader, who was re-elected for a new
six-year term in October.

CARACAS, Dec 9 (Reuters) – Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez
returns to Cuba on Sunday for m ore surgery after a recurrence of
cancer l ed him to name a successor for the first time in a sign
the disease may force an end to his 14-year rule.

Supporters prepared to gather in city squares across the
South American country, shocked and saddened by the news from
the 58-year-old socialist leader, who made the announcement in a
late-night broadcast on Saturday from the presidential palace.

CARACAS, Dec 9 (Reuters) – Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez returns
to Cuba on Sunday for another operation after doctors found a
recurrence of his cancer, and the president named a successor
for the first time in a sign his illness could force him to step
aside.

Supporters prepared to gather in city squares across the
South American country, shocked and saddened by the news from
the 58-year-old socialist leader, who made the announcement in a
late-night broadcast on Saturday from the presidential palace.

CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Saturday he would undergo another cancer operation in the coming days after doctors in Cuba found a third recurrence of malignant cells in his pelvic area.

The news is a big blow for his supporters in South America’s biggest oil exporter, who elected him in October to a new six-year term in power. Chavez has twice said he was cured, and then had to return to Cuba for more surgery.

CARACAS, Nov 29 (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
is doing well as he receives medical treatment in Cuba, Vice
President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday, despite a two-week
absence from public view that has raised fresh doubts about his
health.

Chavez, 58, said in a letter to parliament on Tuesday he was
returning to Havana for “hyperbaric oxygenation,” which is used
to treat bone decay caused by radiation therapy. The president
has undergone three cancer operations in Cuba since mid-2011.

CARACAS (Reuters) – President Hugo Chavez’s re-election on Sunday means Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA will remain highly politicized and will continue its discount supply deals with his socialist allies.

Chavez, 58, won a new six-year term with more then 54 percent of the vote against opposition rival Henrique Capriles, a young state governor who sought to end his 14-year, self-styled revolution.

CARACAS (Reuters) – President Hugo Chavez’s re-election on Sunday means Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA will remain highly politicized and will continue its discount supply deals with his socialist allies.

Chavez, 58, won a new six-year term with more than 54 percent of the vote against opposition rival Henrique Capriles, a young state governor who sought to end his 14-year, self-styled revolution.

CARACAS (Reuters) – President Hugo Chavez’s re-election on Sunday means Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA will remain highly politicized and will continue its discount supply deals with his socialist allies.

Chavez, 58, won a new six-year term with more than 54 percent of the vote against opposition rival Henrique Capriles, a young state governor who sought to end his 14-year, self-styled revolution.

CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s presidential election looked headed for a close finish on Sunday with Hugo Chavez facing an unprecedented challenge to his socialist rule from a young rival tapping into discontent over crime and cronyism.

An energetic campaign by centrist state governor Henrique Capriles, 40, has united the opposition and turned him into its best chance in 14 years to unseat the popular president and take the reins of South America’s leading oil exporter.

CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelans vote on Sunday with President Hugo Chavez facing the biggest electoral challenge yet to his socialist rule from a young rival tapping into discontent over crime and cronyism.

Henrique Capriles, a centrist state governor, edged toward the still popular Chavez in final polls thanks to a vigorous campaign that united the opposition and made him its best chance of ending Chavez’s 14-year rule.