Chavez to return home after surgery

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will most likely return home within 12 days after undergoing surgical operation in Cuba for an abscess in the pelvis.

Speaking to the state-run VTV television network on Wednesday, Chavez’s brother said that the Venezuelan head of state “as officially reported, is recovering well,” AFP reported.

“We do not know exactly when he’ll return. We must wait for a medical assessment, but in a few days, in 10 or 12 days, the president will be (back) over here,” Adan Chavez said.

Hugo Chavez underwent unscheduled surgery for a pelvic abscess in Cuba on June 10 and has remained on the Caribbean island since then to recover.

The 56-year-old Venezuelan president, who had been recuperating from a knee injury sustained before traveling to Brazil, Ecuador and Cuba, had medical examinations that revealed the abscess during his official visit to Cuba and underwent an operation there.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan Vice President Elias Jaua said Chavez is continuing to issue orders from Cuba and keeping abreast of developments in his homeland.

“He’s signing documents for social security retirees and resources for the education ministry, reading reports,” Jaua told Union Radio. “The president is following all current events in the country.”

Pro-government groups have been ready for days to celebrate Chavez’s return to the Miraflores presidential palace in the capital Caracas.

Opponents, however, claim that Chavez may have suffered from something more serious, such as cancer, as he has barely communicated in public since his operation in Cuba.

The Venezuelan leader plans to run for re-election in 2012 and serve at least one more six-year term. He has focused on implementing wide-ranging reforms in the country during his 12 years in power.