Chavez Travels to Cuba for Surgery Today

HAVANA TIMES, Feb 24 — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will arrive in Havana today to undergo additional surgery, probably the beginning of next week. Eight months ago he was here for the removal of a cancerous tumor in his pelvis.

On Thursday, the National Assembly of his country’s formally approved his trip, a prerequisite for the president’s absence from the country for more than five days, according to Venezuela’s constitution.

At a rally yesterday in Caracas in support of his candidacy for reelection, the statesman said “Someday I will die physically, but now is not the time,” as he made the announcement that he would  travel to Havana today.