Venezuela's Chavez says cancer has returned

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Miraflores Press via EPAHugo Chavez, left, and Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro talk during a national broadcast in Caracas, Venezuela on Saturday. Chavez said that he will return to Cuba to undergo further cancer surgery. He also said that if his health was to deteriorate and new elections were to be held, his supporters should vote for Maduro.By ReutersCARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez said on Saturday he would undergo another  cancer operation after doctors in Cuba found a third  recurrence of malignant cells in his pelvic area.

Follow @NBCNewsWorld  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.

In a televised broadcast  flanked by ministers at the Miraflores presidential palace, Chavez said that if  anything happened to him and a new vote had to be held, his supporters should  vote for Vice President Nicolas Maduro - the first time the socialist leader has  named a successor.




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