Hopefully we will soon see the final phase for Comrade Hugo.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced Friday that he will return to Cuba to begin a new phase of cancer treatment that will include chemotherapy.

Chavez said he would go to Havana on Saturday “to begin what we’ve called the second phase.”

He said he was sending a letter to the president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, Fernando Soto Rojas, to seek immediate “legislative authorization” for his trip as required by the constitution. It was not clear how long Chavez planned to remain in Cuba.

The 56-year-old’s cancer diagnosis has thrown uncertainty into Venezuela’s political landscape during the past two weeks.

Chavez, who has held dominant power during more than 12 years in office, has assured the country that he is confident he will recover while also saying that a long road to recovery remains.