President Hugo Chavez has returned to Venezuela for a third round of chemotherapy to treat his cancer, this time in a military hospital.

Until now, all treatment – including the surgery to remove the cancerous tumor in his pelvic region – was performed in Cuba.

Chavez told his fellow citizens Saturday in a televised speech from the military hospital, “I'm coming in the best shape. I'll come out of here strengthened. The conditions are in place to do this third cycle here [in Venezuela.]

“I'm determined to continue living,” he continued. “It's not time to die. What we have to do still is a great deal.”

The Venezuelan president insists he will stand as a candidate in next year's national elections, despite speculation that the cancer when diagnosed was not in early stages, and that it may be prostate cancer.

Chavez has been responsible for the nation's complete break in diplomatic relations with the State of Israel and its tightening of ties with Iran.