Ecuador president going to U.S. cancer center following melanoma diagnosis

FILE PHOTO: Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso speaks during the Leaders' Second Plenary Session during the Ninth Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 10, 2022. REUTERS/Lauren Justice

QUITO (Reuters) - Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso is traveling to a U.S. hospital known for its cancer treatment for medical tests and will likely have surgery there after being diagnosed with melanoma on this right eyelid, he said on Tuesday, saying it would not affect his presidential duties.

Lasso, a former banker and businessman who took office in May of last year, underwent surgery on July 29 to remove a carcinoma in the lower part of the eyelid, but will follow up with more tests at his doctor's recommendation, he said at a press briefing before departing for Houston on Tuesday evening.