Venezuela Says Chavez Will Remain Leader

The Los Angeles Times 0, 5829265.story">reports:

The Venezuelan government tried to strike a confident pose Friday after the revelation that President Hugo Chavez had a cancerous tumor removed in Cuba unleashed anxiety and uncertainty across the South American country.

Government officials said Chavez would be able to manage the affairs of state during his convalescence, with Vice President Elias Jaua declaring that the president was in "full condition to stay in charge as head of state, and I see no need to replace him."