Report: Hugo Chavez 'Dire,' Cancer Has 'Entered the End Stage

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is said to be in "dire" health and not expect to live more than a few months, according to a report.

From Dan Rather, formerly of CBS News and now of "Dan Rather Reports" on cable channel HDNet:

“This reporter has been told that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive cancer that has ‘entered the end stage.’  The information and the quote come from a highly respected source close to Chavez and who is in a position to know his medical condition and history. This source says the prognosis is dire and that Chavez is now not expected to live ‘more than a couple of months at most.’  Chavez is running for re-election in Venezuela but several sources–including the one who revealed the exact kind of cancer– have told me that they believe it is doubtful the dictator will live to see the results.

Rather's report noted the information about Chavez' cancer and prognosis came from only one source.

"This is a person whom your reporter has very good reason to trust, but you should know that there is only one source so far; no other immediate confirmation," Rather reported.

Chavez has made multiple trips to Cuba for cancer treatment; he has not identified the type of cancer.