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Hugo Chavez returns to Venezuela after Cuba cancer care | Hugo Chavez returns to Venezuela after Cuba cancer care |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has returned to the country after receiving treatment for cancer in Cuba. | Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez 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 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. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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." | "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. | There was no information about when or why he returned, and no details about whether he would actively take up the duties of office. |
He is yet to be sworn in for his new term, and doubts remain about whether his health will allow him to return to active politics. | |
Instead he thanked Cuba's leaders and people and said he had confidence in his doctors. | 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. | "Onwards to victory!! We will live and we will overcome!!!" he wrote in his final tweet. |
Local media quoted Vice-President Nicolas Maduro as saying that Mr Chavez landed at 02:30 local time (06:30 GMT) before being transferred to the Military Hospital in Caracas. | Local media quoted Vice-President Nicolas Maduro as saying that Mr Chavez landed at 02:30 local time (06:30 GMT) before being transferred to the Military Hospital in Caracas. |
State TV later confirmed his return, proclaiming the president's repatriation in joyous terms: "He's back! Bravo!" said one presenter. "Commander Chavez has returned!" | |
Those sentiments were echoed on the streets of Caracas, where supporters headed towards the hospital and the central Bolivar Square. | |
Waving banners and carrying portraits of their idol, the crowds of red-clad "Chavistas" spoke of their hero in similar terms: "We're all Chavez", one man told the Associated Press. | |
The extent of Mr Chavez's illness is shrouded in mystery, but it is understood to be serious. Mr Maduro described it as a "continuous battle". | |
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. |
Mr Maduro has effectively been running Venezuela since Mr Chavez went to Cuba, and the opposition has demanded clarity about who is in charge. | Mr Maduro has effectively been running Venezuela since Mr Chavez went to Cuba, and the opposition has demanded clarity about who is in charge. |
Delaying the inauguration scheduled for 10 January, the Venezuelan Supreme Court ruled that Mr Chavez could be sworn in at a later date. | Delaying the inauguration scheduled for 10 January, the Venezuelan Supreme Court ruled that Mr Chavez could be sworn in at a later date. |
But the opposition argued that National Assembly Speaker Diosdado Cabello should take over and new elections should be held. | But the opposition argued that National Assembly Speaker Diosdado Cabello should take over and new elections should be held. |