Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez revealed Sunday that a new tumor recently removed from his pelvic region was of the same type of cancer as a baseball-sized growth extracted from that part of his body about eight months ago.

In his first TV appearance in nine days, Chavez said the surgery and follow-up tests showed the tumor was "a recurrence of the initially diagnosed cancer."

As he has done in recent weeks, Chavez defended Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, who has tried to violently crush a popular revolt in much of the Middle Eastern country. Venezuela has at least twice sent shipments of diesel oil to Syria over the past months.

"We continue lamenting the aggressions against Syria," Chavez said, "and the pressure of the United States government and many European countries, failing to recognize the sovereignty of a people such as the Syrian people."

"From here," Chavez said, "we send our solidarity to the Syrian people and to President Bashar Al-Assad."

Later Sunday, at Havana's cathedral, a service was held for Chavez's health.

Chavez is "in good spirts and boosted by the support and love of the Venezuelan people," said Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro, who was at the service.

In Venezuela, Chavez supporter Johsny Flores said his faith in the leader remains high despite the reports of ill health.

"Cancer is a serious illness, but I know that Chavez has so much love for the country, so much desire to continue with us, that he has going to come out of this," said Flores, a 35-year-old street vendor.

On the other side of the political fence, merchant Tomas Gutierrez followed the example of sole opposition presidential candidate Henrique Capriles and wished Chavez a swift recovery even as he longed for an end to the leader's 13-year rule.

"Another person in his place would be on the floor," the 63-year-old said. "We have to recognize his will power. But also, we hope that he gets better and that Capriles wins and puts an end to this disastrous government."