CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez delegated some of his duties to his vice president and finance minister on Saturday before he flew to Cuba to start chemotherapy and a new stage of cancer treatment.
Chavez had refused opposition demands that he temporarily cede power to Vice President Elias Jaua. But shortly after a legislative vote approving his trip, Chavez announced at a televised Cabinet meeting that he would hand off some responsibilities.
"Tomorrow I begin chemotherapy treatment, and we're going to give it everything we've got," Chavez said. He said the treatment would ensure cancer cells have not spread or reappeared since he underwent surgery last month to remove a tumor.
After thorough medical checks, "no malignant cell has been detected in any other part of my body," Chavez said to the applause of aides and allies at the presidential palace. He added, "There is always the risk of some cells escaping or tending to reproduce, and therefore there's a need to attack hard through chemotherapy."
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Chavez announced earlier that his vice president would oversee budget transfers to government ministries, presidential commissions, any expropriations of businesses and other budget-related responsibilities. Planning and Finance Minister Jorge Giordani would deal with matters including budget shortfalls and certain tax exemptions.
Chavez denied that he was in any way ceding his functions as president.
But he said that if his physical capacities were diminished, "I would be the first in doing what the constitution says" in delegating functions to the vice president.
He spoke at length in two televised appearances, and in a speech to party leaders called for them to defeat any internal divisions that might exist. "Unity, unity, unity," Chavez said.
He said his decision to delegate some of his duties was a result of "deep reflection" as he has fought cancer. He left for Cuba Saturday and said he would return soon but didn't specify how long he would be away.
The 56-year-old's cancer diagnosis has thrown uncertainty into Venezuela's political landscape.
