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Hugo Chávez: Is the US giving Latin American leaders cancer?

The Venezuelan leader ponders whether the US could have "developed a technology to induce cancer".

By Samira Shackle Published 29 December 2011 14:15

Argentina's president, Cristina Fernandez, has been diagnosed with cancer -- and the news has been met with suspicion by Hugo Chávez.

The Venezulan leader, who was treated for cancer earlier this year, wonders whether the US could be to blame. In a televised speech to soldiers at an army base, he said:

Would it be strange if they had developed a technology to induce cancer, and for no one to know it?

Fernando Lugo of Paraguay, Dilma Rousseff of Brazil, and her predecessor, Lula da Silva, have also battled cancer in recent years. While Chávez was careful to say that he didn't want to "make any reckless accusations", he said that he finds the number of cancer cases "very, very, very strange".

He noted that US government scientists had infected Guatemalan prisoners with syphilis and other diseases in the 1940s, which only came to light recently, and joked that he'd take extra care of the presidents of Bolivia and Ecuador lest they be struck down with cancer too.

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Tags: Hugo Chávez

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28 comments

Sat, 2012-06-02 20:42 — John Cheese (not verified)

It's our paybay for them giving us gas...

Thu, 2012-05-31 05:30 — FenwickSamson

Most Latin American governments are somewhere on the left spectrum as a result of long-term trends towards independence that Washington's been unable to thwart. While everyone was focused on the Middle East during the Bush era, the US lost control of its own backyard, and probably realizes now that turning the clock back will be impossible. http://www.carshq.org/

Tue, 2012-01-03 17:57 — Des Demona (not verified)

I believe him. And so do my friends the pixies.

Thu, 2011-12-29 17:36 — Luddite (not verified)

Is the US giving Latin American leaders cancer? Of cause they are but there again it could be them little green men Chávez also firmly believes in.

Mon, 2012-01-02 00:50 — Nixon is Lord (not verified)

Personally I'd try herpes or syphillis; much more embarrassing trying to explain how he'd got it. But since Latin America is still so patriarchal and primitive and, well, Latin, he'd probably see an increase in his popularity in the polls, something like Burlusconi did. Typical Dago.

Sat, 2011-12-31 12:41 — lusina

It's only a joke. Why do people get worked up on such triviality? Are we all losing our sense of bearing? Perhaps, the Americans are behind it. You know that they also considered poisioning Castro through his microphone while delivering speeches. That's recorded histroy. So can you blame Chavez? Happy New Year and calm down a little all you out there.

Mon, 2012-01-02 19:04 — Fraziel1

dear oh dear NS, printing this rubbish is pathetic, even for you. In saying that, Chavez upsets the US and anyine who does that has to be admired in my eyes.

Fri, 2011-12-30 01:57 — Mrs.Josephine Hyde-Hartley (not verified)

Good to see he's better, though I'm surprised Mr.Chavez didn't tell us he thought it very very very stinky.

But more seriously, all this cancer sloshing about might have something to do with ever more complex, technical diagnostics.

Fri, 2011-12-30 06:38 — David (not verified)

Actually the US intelligence agencies do have electromagnetic weapons that can induce cancer in the victim after extended use. For instance, when Dr Greer was investigating the government UFO coverup, three of his colleagues including he, himself developed cancer. However, I don't think the White House or the State Department is aware of such weapons. Read Dr Greer's book 'Hidden Truth: Forbidden Knowledge' for more info or see ufocoverup.org

Mon, 2012-01-02 23:50 — Manuel Labor (not verified)

Chavez has upset many Venezuelans also...

Tue, 2012-01-03 03:33 — John Cheese (not verified)

"Ima Dinner Jacket" & his Iran aides are embarking on a 4 country tour of Central & S America. They have long promised cash but haven't delivered. They need trading partners, sanctions do work. Porky Chavez should watch himself, & quit smoking when he wears the oxygen. Bye bye!

Thu, 2011-12-29 14:47 — David Wearing (not verified)

There was a time when even moderate social democrats like Lula, Rousseff and Fernandez would have been knocked off by a US-sponsored coup shortly after coming to power. And of course some of that mindset endured even ten years ago with the coup attempt against Chavez. But by now most Latin American governments are somewhere on the left spectrum as a result of long-term trends towards independence that Washington's been unable to thwart. While everyone was focused on the Middle East during the Bush era, the US lost control of its own backyard, and probably realises now that turning the clock back will be impossible.

Fri, 2011-12-30 16:22 — John Cheese (not verified)

@ David: David Greer is a nut-job that thinks you can see ET aliens by "visualizing" them. He ties intelligent alien life to new age "new" consciousness. Chavez was denying he even had cancer till 5 mths ago. He has run off Venezuela's middle class money by nationalizing everything.

Fri, 2011-12-30 17:23 — Buckskins (not verified)

I blame the Americans.

Sun, 2012-01-08 03:11 — John Cheese (not verified)

Argentine Prez had thyroid removed & tests showed no cancer. So much for the theory...

Fri, 2011-12-30 18:19 — south pacific

Good old Chavez may be overdoing it a bit but he sure knows how to get a head line.

Most politicians can only dream of being quoted in the media that regularly.

One thing must be said about Hugo, he is never dull.

At any rate it is only an opinion.

With 5 government leaders having cancer in South America, all left leaning, an excitable person like Chavez can form such an opinion. It just requires boundless imagination.

Personally I can't understand why people get worked up about it.

I got a good laugh out of reading it.

Thu, 2011-12-29 16:32 — Vorian (not verified)

Not to "make any reckless accusations", but he's a wingnut. For anyone who didn't recognise that when he blamed the Haitian earthquake on a US quake machine - perhaps now is the moment to reassess.

Thu, 2011-12-29 16:36 — john woods (not verified)

Vorian: precisely. Chavez is as mad as a hatter. In addition, he has closed down newspapers which criticised him, imprisoned those who protest against him etc etc. But he is anti american so the westen left loves him.