Hugo Chavez dismisses death rumors.

President Hugo Chavez has spoken on state TV for the first time since he arrived in Cuba for more cancer treatment nine days ago, according to BBC.

Mr Chavez, 57, dismissed rumors that he had died undergoing radiotherapy for a second tumor in his pelvic region.

Speaking over the phone from Havana, he said rumors about his death were part of a psychological war against him.

He had surgery in February and has been shuttling back and forth between Caracas and Havana for treatment.

"It seems we will have to become accustomed to live with these rumors, because it is part of the laboratories of psychological war, of dirty war," he said.