Colombia's President has cancer, to undergo surgeryOctober 2, 2012 - 12:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos has announced he has prostate cancer and will have surgery on Wednesday, Oct 3, according to BBC News. Santos, 61, says the tumor has been detected early and estimates his chances of recovery at 97%. The announcement comes a week before the government enters landmark peace talks with Farc rebels to try to end nearly five decades of conflict. Santos, who took office in August 2010, is the latest Latin American leader to be diagnosed with cancer. Others have included Dilma Rousseff of Brazil, her predecessor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, as well as former Presidents Fernando Lugo of Paraguay and Fidel Castro of Cuba. "I have carried out all the routine exams recommended by the doctors, and there has been an abnormal growth of the prostate specific antigen," the president said in a statement. He said the surgery would only require local anaesthetics, so he would not be delegating any responsibilities. "With God's help, this will turn out to be only one of those challenges we all have to face in life," he added. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |