<p>“I’m happy... I’m going to get some rest,” a bubbly-sounding Chavez told state TV by telephone after touching down in the early hours of Monday morning.<br /><br />Chavez’s return changes the political dynamics once again in Venezuela, where politicians on all sides had been bracing for a protracted months-long absence of the man who has dominated the OPEC member nation for the last 12 years.<br /><br />In a classic piece of Chavez theatre, the president jetted in just in time for two days of celebrations of Venezuela’s 200th anniversary of independence from Spain.<br />State media showed video footage of Chavez bidding farewell to Cuban President Raul Castro in Havana and then being greeted by ebullient ministers at Maiquetia airport outside Caracas.<br /><br />“I’m back at the epicentre of Bolivar,” Chavez said, in reference to his idol Simon Bolivar, a hero of Venezuela’s and South America’s fight for independence from Spanish rule.<br />Vice President Elias Jaua called on supporters to go to the presidential palace in the afternoon to give Chavez, 56, a welcome reception.<br /><br />Despite euphoria among supporters, Chavez’s exact condition remains unclear, and he may still face lengthy treatment in Venezuela. A military hospital was prepared for his arrival.<br />The homecoming addresses complaints from critics that he was risking national security by ruling from a hospital in a foreign country.<br /></p>
<p>“I’m happy... I’m going to get some rest,” a bubbly-sounding Chavez told state TV by telephone after touching down in the early hours of Monday morning.<br /><br />Chavez’s return changes the political dynamics once again in Venezuela, where politicians on all sides had been bracing for a protracted months-long absence of the man who has dominated the OPEC member nation for the last 12 years.<br /><br />In a classic piece of Chavez theatre, the president jetted in just in time for two days of celebrations of Venezuela’s 200th anniversary of independence from Spain.<br />State media showed video footage of Chavez bidding farewell to Cuban President Raul Castro in Havana and then being greeted by ebullient ministers at Maiquetia airport outside Caracas.<br /><br />“I’m back at the epicentre of Bolivar,” Chavez said, in reference to his idol Simon Bolivar, a hero of Venezuela’s and South America’s fight for independence from Spanish rule.<br />Vice President Elias Jaua called on supporters to go to the presidential palace in the afternoon to give Chavez, 56, a welcome reception.<br /><br />Despite euphoria among supporters, Chavez’s exact condition remains unclear, and he may still face lengthy treatment in Venezuela. A military hospital was prepared for his arrival.<br />The homecoming addresses complaints from critics that he was risking national security by ruling from a hospital in a foreign country.<br /></p>
