Venezuela President Chavez admits cancerous tumor

CARACAS — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez admitted to having had a cancerous tumor removed, ending weeks of speculation over his condition and unprecedented absence from public life."Studies confirmed the existence of a tumor with cancerous cells," Chavez said in his first televised address since being rushed to hospital in Cuba three weeks ago.The 56-year-old firebrand anti-American leader was hospitalized June 10, two days into a state visit, for what Venezuelan officials initially said was treatment for a painful pelvic abscess.Revealing for the first time the real gravity of his condition, Chavez said a first operation to treat the abscess had uncovered the cancerous tumor and a second operation had been deemed necessary to remove the cancerous cells.He did not reveal where the tumor was found or what type of cancer was detected.In the emotional late night address, broadcast live in Venezuela, Chavez expressed hope for a full recovery and acknowledged a "fundamental error" in neglecting his health for years.In contrast to famously long, improvised speeches that often run hours on end, Chavez's pre-recorded address was read from a script in a tight 15-minute video. Flanked by an image of Venezuelan independence hero Simon Bolivar on one side and the national flag on the other, the hyperactive leader, reelected three times since 1998, was visibly thinner but remained animated during parts of his address.Dozens of government supporters took to the streets of Caracas to show their solidarity with the ailing president.His absence at a time when Venezuela is experiencing a major energy crisis and after a prison mutiny that left 29 people dead in prison sparked outrage in some quarters.But Chavez insisted he was still in control."I have kept informed and in control of the Venezuelan government," he said, adding that he has been in "constant communication" with Vice President Elias Jaua and members of his administration.The president of South America's biggest oil producer and the leader of the Latin Americ

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