Afro-Cuban priests offer spiritual support to Venezuela's Chavez in cancer battle

HAVANA – A body of top Afro-Cuban priests is recommending that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez seek their help in his battle with cancer.

Lazaro Cuesta is one of the island's leading Santeria priests and he says that if Chavez decides he could use spiritual support, he'll find it "whichever house he knocks on."

Chavez is recovering from surgery last month in Cuba. The exact nature of his cancer has not been revealed, and his health is said to be delicate.

Cuesta spoke Wednesday as the Santeria priests issued their annual New Year's forecast.