Chavez admits cancer relapse, designates heir apparent

CARACAS: Leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez admitted a relapse of his cancer Saturday and designated vice president Nicolas Maduro as his heir apparent in case "something happened" to him. Speaking on national television, an emotional Chavez said a return of cancer cells was detected during his most recent visit to Cuba for medical examination, and he will return to the communist-ruled island as early as Sunday for another round of surgery. "During this thorough examination, they again detected some malignant cells in the same area as before," Chavez said. He did not offer details, but his cancer was first detected in the pelvic area. Neither the Venezuelan leader, nor his Cuban doctors have ever disclosed what kind of cancer that was. However, Chavez admitted that his Cuban medical team had conveyed to him a sense of urgency about the upcoming operation, which he said was "absolutely necessary." "The doctor recommended that I undergo surgery yesterday (Friday) at the latest, or this weekend," he acknowledged. "But I did not agree and came back home." Chavez returned from Havana on Friday after a 10-day stay in Cuba. He had not been seen in public for three weeks. The Venezuelan leader also said that in the event he were incapacitated, his vice president Nicolas Maduro would step in and assume control of the government as required by the constitution. But he also indicated he would like Maduro to replace him if something more serious were to occur and a new presidential elections were called. "You choose Maduro as president of the republic," said Chavez addressing the Venezuelan people. "I am asking you this from all my heart."