HAVANA, July 23 (UPI) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he was in Cuba Saturday for chemotherapy after a cancerous tumor was removed last month.
The leader of 12 years told Venezuelan national television in a phone call that the surgery to remove a "baseball-sized" tumor in the pelvic area was the first step and he was now undergoing chemotherapy, The Wall Street Journal reported.
He spoke optimistically of his treatment and referred to his upcoming birthday Thursday, the BBC said.
"There are various cycles in this battle to finally defeat and eliminate any risk of the presence of malignant cells in this body, which is going to turn 57 years old," he said.
There was widespread alarm in Venezuela when Chavez cloaked secrecy around an extended visit to Havana last month, the BBC said.
In his talk with state television, Chavez said despite his cancer, he and his socialist government would prevail in national elections next year.
"I will live, I promise you," he said. "And we are headed for the great victory of 2012."
There has been no indication why Chavez couldn't be treated in Venezuela.
