Venezuela gov't: Chavez in 'pre-operative' steps
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuela's government says President Hugo Chavez is going through "pre-operative" steps for cancer surgery in Cuba.
Information Minister Ernesto Villegas read the announcement on television.
In the statement, the government also urged Venezuelans to pray.
Venezuela released the statement on Tuesday after Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa said Chavez was undergoing the operation "at this moment."