Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced Wednesday that he has to return to Cuba for treatment as his cancer is likely back, shaking his people and supporters around the world

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced Wednesday that he has to return to Cuba for treatment as his cancer is likely back, shaking his people and supporters around the world.

The president met close aids in order to come out with a plan during his absence. Heart-felt messages poured in from Latin American leaders in support of Chavez.

"I am in good physical shape to confront this new battle," Chavez said on Tuesday afternoon. "I ask for life. I want to live with you and fight with you until the last moment of this life that God gave me," he added as Cuban doctors found a two-centimeter lesion that is likely cancerous in the same area where they removed a cancerous tumor in 2011.

"I'm not going to be able to continue with the same rhythm," he told state TV in a telephone call on Tuesday night. Chavez added that he would need to "rethink my personal agenda and take care of myself, confront what must be confronted."

The popular leader, who came to power in 1999, is seeking another six-year term in the October 7 elections. "No one needs to be alarmed, and no one should start celebrating: because independent of what my personal fate may be, this revolution is on its way and nobody and nothing is going to stop it," Chavez said.

His rival in the October vote, Henrique Capriles, wished Chavez a successful operation, a quick recovery and a long life.