Chavez Returns To Venezuela After Surgery
CARACAS, Venezuela (CBSMiami) – Clinging to both his physical and political life, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez arrived back in his home country Friday after having another round of cancer surgery performed in Cuba.
Never one to miss an opportunity, Chavez gave an impromptu speech upon his arrival vowing to beat his opponents in an October 7 presidential race.
"I'm on the road to recovery," Chavez said. "But we have to stay disciplined. We have to have the discipline of a soldier."
Chavez had spent three weeks in Cuba after a lesion appeared where he had a baseball-sized tumor removed last June. Chavez said the latest round of treatment went through without a hitch, but the Venezuelan government refused to give details about the part of the body impacted.
According to surveys from Venezuela, Chavez would comfortably win re-election in October against his chief opponent, Henrique Capriles. But, if Chavez isn't on the ticket, a plurality of Venezuelans said the opposition party would capture the government.
"I promise you that I will live," Chavez said wrapping up his statement. "We will live and remain victorious."
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