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Venezuela's Chavez Is Home After Cancer Surgery


Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks after arriving from Cuba at Simon Bolivar airport in Caracas, Venezuela, March 16, 2012.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks after arriving from Cuba at Simon Bolivar airport in Caracas, Venezuela, March 16, 2012.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has returned home from Cuba where he underwent cancer surgery.

Chavez's plane arrived Friday at Caracas' international airport. Earlier in the day he announced in a Twitter message that he was departing from Havana's international airport. He wrote, "Heading to the Motherland! Thank God!"

Chavez had a tumor removed from his pelvic region in late February. He also flew to Cuba last year when he had a growth removed from the same area. He underwent chemotherapy last year in Cuba and Venezuela.

The 57-year-old Venezuelan leader has declined to identify the precise type of cancer he has, but said he will soon begin radiation therapy.

Chavez has ruled Venezuela for 13 years and is hoping to be re-elected for another six-year term in October. His opponent will be 39-year-old Henrique Capriles, who was chosen as the sole opposition candidate in a primary last month.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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