CARACAS - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Wednesday that he had well prepared himself both physically and spiritually for a second phase of chemotherapy to treat his cancer that would begin in the upcoming hours.

In a phone call broadcasted by Venezuelan television, Chavez said he wouldn't exaggerate or trivialize the treatment.

Chavez also rejected the opposition's criticism that he had made a show of his disease. "They have said I'm not ill," he complained.

Chavez reiterated his commitment to fighting the cancer and said his body had responded well to previous treatment.

He also denied he has colon cancer as some opposition spokespersons said. "They are searching anything I said to invent something to provoke anxiety," he said.

Chavez returned here on July 23 after receiving the first round of chemotherapy in Cuba, which he called difficult.

The 57-year-old president insisted he would pursue another six-year term in the 2012 elections despite his disease.