First there was Lugo of Paraguay, then came Chávez of Venezuela, followed by Lula of Brazil. Now comes number four as Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, recently re-elected President of Argentina, has today been diagnosed with cancer of the right thyroid gland and will be operated upon to remove the cancerous tissue on January 4th 2012.
We also know from official reports that the cancer has (apparently) not spread to other parts of her body, that CFK will be hospitalized for between 48 and 72 hours, though she will be taking medical leave until January 24th. In that time, Veep Amado Boudou will replace her as Head of State.
So what is it with being President of a South American nation that makes you susceptible to cancer all of a sudden? Four in one year is just bizarre.
UPDATE: Official Presidential communique here