More Cancer Treatment for Hugo Chavez

Hugo Chavez made his first televised address in weeks to Venezuelans yesterday as he signed a new labor law—and announced his return to Cuba for another round of cancer treatment. The president, who has spent 50 days this year in Havana being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer, said he was in the "home stretch" of cancer treatment, and that he's "confident Christ will repeat, or continue, the miracle" and allow him to return within days, CNN reports.

Chavez, who is seeking re-election this October, appeared swollen-faced, but otherwise robust, and stood throughout the 30-minute address, Reuters notes. Polls show him well ahead of rival Henrique Capriles, and he may get another boost from the labor law, which extends maternity leave and cuts the working week from 44 hours to 40. In yesterday's speech, Chavez also called for Venezuela to leave the Organization of American States' human rights body, accusing the US of using it as a tool to attack his government. (More Hugo Chavez stories.)