Venezuela’s Jaua Says Won’t Hold Presidency in Chavez’s Absence

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Venezuelan Vice President Elias Jaua said that he won’t occupy the presidency during Hugo Chavez’s absence when he travels to Cuba to undergo a third surgery related to cancer.

Jaua, speaking today on state television, said that Chavez will request approval from the National Assembly tomorrow to travel to Cuba for the operation. Chavez, who said yesterday that medical tests on Feb. 18 revealed a lesion that may be malignant, will be able to continue governing from the Caribbean island, Jaua said.