According to Dan Rather, of all reporters, a source close to Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez says his cancer has reached its final stages and the dictator is not expected to live for more than a few more months. Reports of Chavez's failing health first emerged when he mysteriously flew to Havana in June of last year to receive surgery.
See also:
- Hugo Chavez Is "Battling For His Life," Venezuelan VP Confirms
- Hugo Chavez Is Dead, According to Questionable CNN Chile Report
Rather, the former CBS anchor who now hosts Dan Rather Reports on HDNet, sent out the following statement to press this afternoon:
"This reporter has been told that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive cancer that has 'entered the end stage.' The information and the quote come from a highly respected source close to Chavez and who is in a position to know his medical condition and history. This source says the prognosis is dire and that Chavez is now not expected to live 'more than a couple of months at most.' Chavez is running for re-election in Venezuela but several sources -- including the one who revealed the exact kind of cancer -- have told me that they believe it is doubtful the dictator will live to see the results."However, the release notes that the information is only coming from a single source and has not been confirmed otherwise.
Chavez has vowed to run for reelection, and voting is scheduled for October 7. His regime has been careful to keep details of his health crisis from the public, but this is not the first speculation that he won't make it until then.
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