Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos has prostate cancer

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced on Monday that he has prostate cancer. He said the tumour was caught early and would be removed this week.

The 61-year-old Santos told reporters in announcing the cancer at the presidential palace, his wife Maria Clemencia at his side, that he has a 97 per cent chance of a full recovery.

"It is not an aggressive cancer," Mr Santos added.

He said he planned to fly to Lima, Peru later Monday for a summit of South American and Arab leaders and then undergo surgery on his return to Bogota on Wednesday.