Chavez returning to Cuba for more cancer surgery, names successor

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.    

In the clearest sign yet that Chavez's health problems could spell an end to his 14 years at the helm of the OPEC nation, he said supporters should vote for Vice President Nicolas Maduro if a new election had to be held.    

"It is absolutely necessary, absolutely essential, that I undergo a new surgical intervention," the president said in his speech, during which he was flanked by ministers.    

"With God's will, like on the previous occasions, we will come out of this victorious. I have complete faith in that."    

An unruly transition from Chavez's highly centralized rule could raise the specter of political instability in the country that holds the world's largest crude oil reserves.    

The president's allies lack the charisma that has made him one of the world's most recognizable leaders - and most fierce critics of Washington - and may struggle to control his unruly coalition of military leaders and leftist activists.    

He returned to Venezuela on Friday after those tests, and is due to have the operation in Cuba in the next few days.    

He said he had rejected the advice of his medical team to have the surgery sooner, on Friday or this weekend, telling them he needed to fly back to Venezuela to seek the permission of lawmakers to return for the operation.    


REUTERS