Venezuelan president's health deteriorates

Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez sent a letter to the National Assembly, Venezuela's parliament, yesterday (27 November) to formally request authority to travel to Cuba to continue with post-cancer medical treatment. The letter, which requested that Chávez be allowed to leave the country the same day, was read aloud by Diosdado Cabello, the head of the National Assembly. The request was treated as an emergency matter by parliament, which immediately approved the motion with applause and cheers of support from pro-government lawmakers.

In the letter, Chávez explained that six months since his last radiation therapy doctors had suggested he receive a "complementary treatment of several hyperbaric oxygen therapies which along with physiotherapy were to continue strengthening his health". Once the request was approved, Cabello, a retired military officer and key ally of Chávez, said: "Commander, the people of Venezuela wish you to go on with this alternative therapy to continue advancing in your recuperation."

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