Cancer has spread in Hugo Chavez 's colon , spine and bones , and the Venezuelan president could have only nine months to live , Spain 's ABC newspaper reported Monday , citing medical records provided by unidentified intelligence sources . `` His health appears to be deteriorating at a more rapid pace . Clearly there has been metastasis in the bones and the spine , '' the ABC report says , citing what it said were doctors ' observations after medical tests December 30 . The newspaper did not divulge its sources or detail how it checked the information 's accuracy , and CNN was unable to verify the report . An official in Venezuela 's information ministry said the newspaper 's report was invalid and the government would not comment on its contents . In June , Chavez said doctors in Cuba had removed a cancerous tumor from his body but did not specify what type of cancer it was . He announced in October that treatment had cured him of cancer , but the government has released few details about his health . `` There are no malignant cells in this body . They do n't exist , '' Chavez , 57 , said at the time . The ABC newspaper report details what it says are doctors ' differing estimates of Chavez 's life expectancy during the course of his treatment . According to ABC , in June doctors diagnosed Chavez with prostate cancer but said he could live for five years or more with treatment . In late October , ABC says , the president 's medical team said the number of cancerous cells in his bone marrow had increased . In late December , according to the newspaper , doctors said they had found a tumor in Chavez 's colon . The president was refusing a more intense recommended treatment and could have only nine months to live , ABC says , citing medical records . Citing a January 12 medical report , ABC says Chavez was receiving `` increasing doses of painkillers and stimulants that have helped him give the impression that he is stabilizing and have given him a high level of visibility . '' Emili Blasco , author of the article and the newspaper 's Washington correspondent , defended the story in an interview with CNN en Español on Monday night . He called the report `` reliable , '' and stressed that his paper has no agenda . A lawmaker from Chavez 's United Socialist Party of Venezuela mocked the newspaper report 's claims , which come at the start of a politically-important year for the Venezuelan president . Chavez has pledged to run for re-election in 2012 , dismissing speculation that his illness would force him out of politics . `` We have laughed a lot about this because because they insist , but they are seeing a Chavez that is active , that is working , that is in front of the government , of the party , of the fight , of the problems of the people and who is demonstrating that he is healthy , '' lawmaker Aristobulo Isturiz said at a news conference broadcast on state television . Isturiz , who is vice president of Venezuela 's National Assembly , noted that an energetic Chavez gave a state of the union speech that lasted more than nine hours earlier this month . The desires of political opponents of Chavez are fueling speculation , Isturiz told reporters . `` Desires are one thing , and there are many who wish Chavez had not nine months , but one month ( to live ) , '' he said .
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has pledged to run for re-election this year . A lawmaker mocks a Spanish newspaper report , saying it made him laugh . Score: 6 Chavez 's health `` appears to be deteriorating '' The president has said treatment he had in Cuba cured him of cancer .