President Hugo Chávez
received a rousing welcome as he addressed supporters after his
surprise July 4 return to Venezuela. He had been out of the country
for three weeks to receive treatment for cancer in Cuba. Speaking
from the balcony of the presidential palace in Caracas to a crowd
that spread out for blocks, he expressed confidence: “We will also
win this battle for life. We will win. We will be victorious.”
Confidence was tempered
with caution, as when he noted that doctors had warned him against
giving his typically lengthy speeches. He spoke slightly more than a
half hour. The crowd responded, chanting, “Onward, commander!”
Shortly after speaking to the crowd he was seen on television meeting
with foreign officials.
Chávez
56 years old, has led Venezuela for almost 13 years, surviving a
U.S-backed coup attempt in 2002 and constant aggression from both
Democratic and Republican administrations. He is expected to run for
re-election in 2012.
