Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has admitted that he must undergo another operation in Cuba due to the return of the cancer he was initially diagnosed with last year. Before leaving, he named Vice President Nicolas Maduro as his successor if he is unable to return to power.
Below is a timeline of major events since the leftist leader shocked the world in June 2011 with the announcement that he was suffering from cancer.

2011:

June 30 – In a powerful address to the nation from Cuba, a pale and thin Chavez announces that he underwent cancer surgery 20 days ago in Havana.

July 4 – The leader makes a shocking unplanned return from Cuba on the eve of Independence Day.

July 17 – Returns to Cuba to begin chemotherapy.

July 28 – Chávez celebrates his 57th birthday and vows to win re-election in 2012.

August 10 – The president’s popularity increases due to the so-called “solidarity effect” caused by his illness.

September 14 – The electoral authority sets presidential elections for October 7, 2012. Chávez announces his candidacy for reelection.

September 22 – The President completes the fourth and final cycle of chemotherapy.

October 20 – After medical examinations in Cuba, he declares himself free of cancer and his doctors affirm that he is completely cured.

October 28 – Chávez returns to the streets to lead the campaign for re-election.

December 2 – Returns to the international scene with a continental summit without the presence of the United States.

December 19 – He tries to regain his strongman image with a “hand-to-hand” campaign.

December 20 – Participates in the Mercosur economic bloc summit in Uruguay, his first political trip since his diagnosis.

2012:

January 8 – Chávez resumes his flagship radio and television program, “Hello President.”

February 12 – The young governor of the important state of Miranda, Henrique Capriles, becomes the only opposition candidate to challenge Chávez after winning the primaries.

February 21 – Chávez announces that he will have to undergo surgery again for an injury in the same region where he had cancer.

February 28 – He undergoes surgery in Cuba.

March 4 – The president announces that he will have to undergo radiotherapy.

March 11 – Admits he will slow down his work pace, but continues to seek re-election.

March 14 – Capriles takes to the streets to win supporters for President Chávez.

March 16 – Chavez returns to Venezuela after surgery.

March 25 – Returns to Havana to begin radiotherapy.

April 5 – The president cries during a mass for his health and asks God: “Don’t take me yet.”

April 14 – Returns to Havana to undergo radiotherapy and does not attend the Summit of the Americas.

May 2 – In a surprise move, the ruler establishes a government advisory council amid a national debate over possible succession due to his frequent absences while undergoing cancer treatment.

May 7 – Chavez breaks several days of silence and assures that he is fully governing Venezuela despite his cancer treatment in Cuba.

June 9 – He announces that he has come out “absolutely fine” from the medical tests following his radiotherapy treatment.

June 11 – Chávez registers his candidacy for the presidential elections.

July 9 – The president assures that he is completely cancer-free.

July 13 – He returns to the streets and defies the odds that there will be a virtual campaign.

October 7 – The leader is re-elected against Capriles and guarantees socialism until 2019.

November 27 – The National Assembly authorizes Chávez to travel to Cuba to receive hyperbaric therapy, a common complementary treatment for patients who have received radiotherapy.

December 7 – Chávez returns to Venezuela, accompanied by his vice president Nicolás Maduro and two of his daughters.

December 8 – The president announces that he will return to Cuba to undergo further surgery due to the return of his cancer and designates Maduro as his eventual successor if he is unable to return to power.