Chávez, Piñera, Rousseff, among first leaders to call CFK

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner said today, while addressing the nation for the first time since it was announced that she will undergo surgery to remove a thyroid carcinoma, that Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez was the first regional leader to call her and offer her support.

“I told him ‘you and your Congress’ because he has founded a Congress of people who beat cancer. I’m warning you that I’ll fight you and everybody for the honorary presidency of this presidency,” she joked.

She also thanked Chilean president Sebastián Piñera, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, Brazillian president Dilma Rousseff and Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo, who also sent her messages of support.

"I want to thank all of you and ask for your help, not for me but for the country, for governors mayors so all of us make a bigger effort,” she stated and underscored the importance of the fact that the Vice-president should think the same way the President does, regarding Amado Boudou, who will take charge while the President takes her leave of absence.

Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa also sent a supportive message. “Go Cristina, a quick recovery for you,” he wrote on his Twitter profile. “Argentina and America need you.”

Mexican president Felipe Calderón said Fernández de Kirchner is a close friend and told her to stay strong.