Colombian Senator Gustavo Petro says he was diagnosed with cancer

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(CNN Spanish) - Colombian Senator Gustavo Petro announced this Friday that after traveling to Cuba for health tests on March 2, he was diagnosed with "early cancer" in the junction of the esophagus with the stomach.

"I returned to the country to have a second medical opinion, and after the laboratory analysis and endoscopies, the existence of an injury was determined in the same place," explained Petro, a former mayor of Bogotá and a former presidential candidate, in a video posted on his account. from Twitter.

Statement on my health situation pic.twitter.com/jDBf02v5RW

- Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) April 10, 2020

"I decided to return to Cuba on March 18 to confront all the medical studies and opinions and make my own determinations," he added.

Petro, who did not indicate where he was, said he will be operated on April 13 to try to "completely remove the damaged tissue." He did not say where he will be intervened.

"If, due to the delicateness of the tissues, where the lesion is located, it cannot be completely removed, I will enter chemotherapy and radiotherapy."

Petro confirmed that it remains confirmed due to the coronavirus.

President Iván Duque wished him strength and a speedy recovery. "All my solidarity with you and your family," the president wrote on Twitter.

Gustavo Petro