Chavez says will return to Venezuela Thursday

CARACAS - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said Monday that he will return to Venezuela on Thursday following a round of cancer treatment in Cuba.

Chavez made the announcement in a telephone call from Cuba in which he denied rumors that he had died while being treated for cancer.

Speaking from the Cuban capital of Havana, Chavez criticized opponents for spreading rumors of his death while in Cuba undergoing treatment.

He also said he will have to return to Cuba for one more radiation therapy session.

Earlier Monday, Venezuelan Vice President Elias Jaua went on television to urge Chavez supporters to dismiss rumors the president's condition was deteriorating, saying the false reports were an "electoral trap" set by the opposition to gain an advantage in upcoming presidential elections.

In a broadcast aired by the official television channel Venezolana de Television (VTV), Jaua said the opposition was desperately trying to erode Chavez's popularity, with polls showing he is heading for reelection in the October 7 electoral race.

Diagnosed with cancer in June 2011, Chavez has been making short trips to Cuba for ongoing radiation therapy, but his latest trip has been longer and quieter than the others, fueling speculation about his health.

Since leaving for Havana April 14, he had communicated only via Twitter and made no public appearances, in contrast to earlier trips.

Chavez said that while in Cuba he has been working with aides on a new socialist labor law.