Chavez Returns to Venezuela From Cuba

The Associated Press reports:

President Hugo Chavez made a surprise return to Venezuela from Cuba before dawn Monday, saying he is feeling better as he recovers from surgery that removed a cancerous tumor.

State television showed the video of Chavez arriving about 2 a.m. local time (2:30 EDT; 0630 GMT). The station didn't air the video until a little after five hours later.

"I'm fine. I'm happy," he said after stepping off the plane. "A perfect landing."

He hugged his vice president, Elias Jaua, and his elder brother, Adan.

In a telephone interview later, the president told state television he was having breakfast. "I'm devouring everything," Chavez said.

Chavez said he spent "very difficult days" in Cuba but that his recovery is going well. "It's the beginning of my return!"