This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21495976
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Hugo Chavez 'back in Venezuela' after Cuba cancer care | Hugo Chavez 'back in Venezuela' after Cuba cancer care |
(35 minutes later) | |
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he has returned to the country after receiving treatment for cancer in Cuba. | Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he has returned to the country after receiving treatment for cancer in Cuba. |
In three messages posted on Twitter, Mr Chavez, 58, thanked Cuban President and ex-leader Raul and Fidel Castro. | In three messages posted on Twitter, Mr Chavez, 58, thanked Cuban President and ex-leader Raul and Fidel Castro. |
He also thanked Venezuelans for their support and said he would continue treatment in his home country. | |
He has been president for 14 years and was re-elected for another six-year term in October 2012, but his swearing-in was delayed because of his illness. | |
Mr Chavez went to Havana for surgery on 11 December, his fourth operation in an 18-month period for cancer first diagnosed in mid-2011. | Mr Chavez went to Havana for surgery on 11 December, his fourth operation in an 18-month period for cancer first diagnosed in mid-2011. |
Last week the first images of him since the operation were broadcast by Venezuela's government. | |
He was pictured smiling as he lay in bed reading a newspaper, with his two daughters by his side. | He was pictured smiling as he lay in bed reading a newspaper, with his two daughters by his side. |
Thanks and praise | |
Mr Chavez announced his return to Venezuela to his 3.9 million Twitter followers in a series of tweets that were bombastic in tone but short on detail. | |
"We have arrived back in the land of Venezuela. Thank you Lord!! Thanks to my beloved people! We will continue our treatment here." | |
There was no information about when or why he returned, and no details about whether he would actively take up the duties of office. | |
Instead he thanked Cuba's leaders and people and said he had confidence in his doctors. | |
"Onwards to victory!! We will live and we will overcome!!!" he wrote in his final tweet. | |
The extent of Mr Chavez's illness is shrouded in mystery, but it is understood to be serious. | The extent of Mr Chavez's illness is shrouded in mystery, but it is understood to be serious. |
During his treatment the Venezuelan leader is reported to have had tumours removed from his pelvic region. | During his treatment the Venezuelan leader is reported to have had tumours removed from his pelvic region. |
He has also undergone prior rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. | He has also undergone prior rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. |
Though there have been few details about the president's exact treatment, Vice-President Nicolas Maduro described it as "extremely complex and tough". | Though there have been few details about the president's exact treatment, Vice-President Nicolas Maduro described it as "extremely complex and tough". |