Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez flew to Cuba to begin radiation therapy one month after undergoing surgery that removed a cancerous tumour.

Mr Chavez will be in Cuba at the same time as Pope Benedict XVI, who arrives on the communist-governed island today after a visit to Mexico.

But Mr Chavez did not refer to the Pope’s upcoming visit to Havana.

The 57-year-old President describes himself as a Christian. He has regularly clashed with Catholic leaders in Venezuela, but during his illness has often publicly expressed faith in God that he will overcome cancer.

Mr Chavez said the radiation treatments are to begin right away.

He has been recovering from a February 26 surgery in Havana that he said removed a tumour from the same spot in his pelvic region where another tumour was extracted eight months earlier.

“I’ve decided, on the recommendation of my medical team and also my government political team, to begin... radiation therapy treatment,” Mr Chavez said in a televised meeting with aides.

He described it as a “complement to the surgery that I underwent”.

“Yesterday, they took out the last stitches that were left from the operation. Everything’s very good. I’ve been walking much better. ... Without any sort of complication, thanks to God,” he said.

“And now, a month after the surgical operation, we’re ready for radiation therapy, which will last about four, five weeks.”