Hugo Chavez Returning to Cuba for Treatment

Hugo Chavez is heading back to Cuba for medical treatment, and the sparse announcement is raising questions about whether his cancer has returned. The Venezuelan president informed the National Assembly that "six months after I had the last session of radiotherapy, I have been advised to begin a new special treatment, with several sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and physiotherapy," reports the BBC.

Chavez made no mention of his cancer, though he previously said he had fully recovered. The 58-year-old won re-election to his fourth term in October and is due to be sworn in on Jan. 10. As for that "hyperbaric oxygen therapy," the AP notes that the American Cancer Society says on its website that it can be used to treat bone damage from radiation therapy, but no evidence exists that it can cure cancer. (More Hugo Chavez stories.)