Hugo Chavez returns to Venezuela

Xinhua, July 5, 2011

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Monday gave a speech in the People's Balcony of Miraflores Palace in Caracas, after he returned from Cuba, where he got a surgery to remover a cancer tumor.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (Front) waves as he walks out of the plane after arrives at the Maiquetia Airport in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, July 4, 2011. Chavez on Monday returned from Cuba, where he received a surgery for removing a cancerous tumor, the state-owned VTV reported. [Xinhua/ABN]

All the Squares in Venezuela were full of Chavez' followers waiting for him to give his speech.

During his speech, Chavez said "this is time for life, this is the time of the bicentenary motherland, this is the time for the final independence of our country."

He also said that he got a serious surgery but "love is the best remedy" and with that he will recover and defeat his disease.

"We will win this battle too, and we are going to win it together", said Chavez.

On July 5, Venezuela is celebrating its 200 years of independence.

Chavez appeared on national TV and radio broadcasting from the Miraflores Palace dressed with military suit and accompanied by his daughter Rosa Virginia and Maria Gabriela.

Chavez returned to Venezuela early Monday morning from Cuba, where he got the surgery on June 20.