Cuba's President Raul Castro (L) greets Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez and his daughter Rosa Virginia (R), at Havana airport in this handout picture taken on July 16, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

HAVANA - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday began the second stage of treatment against cancer in Cuba, after arriving in the island nation Saturday night.

Chavez received two surgeries in Cuba in June to remove a pelvic abscess and a cancerous tumor.

Chavez's leave for treatment was officially approved by the Venezuelan parliament and part of his duties have been delegated to Vice President Elias Jaua and Minister of Planning & Finance Jorge Giordani.

According to the Venezuelan Constitution, the parliament can declare a temporary lack of head of state when he is absent for less than 90 days and hands off his duties to the vice president. His leave can be extended by an additional 90 days.