http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2011/07/201175173223247566.html
Chavez hails Venezuela's 200th 'birthday'
Parade marks two centuries since independence but Chavez, recovering from
cancer surgery, limited to televised address.
Last Modified: 05 Jul 2011 18:41
Chavez, pictured standing with military chiefs on Tuesday, was limited to
addressing troops on television [EPA]
Venezuelans are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the country's independence
from Spain with the country's president, Hugo Chavez, back in the country after
undergoing treatment for cancer in Cuba.
Chavez, who returned from Havana early on Monday morning and addressed
supporters from the balcony of the presidential palace later in the day, did
not participate in Tuesday's military parade in Caracas, the capital, instead
addressing troops on state television.
"Here I am, in recuperation but still recovering. We've begun another long
march," Chavez said.
State broadcaster VTV showed Chavez greeting several foreign ministers and
representatives from some 17 Latin American nations as the day's events got
under way.
Chavez also sent out a message to his followers on Twitter, saying: "Oh,
Venezuela, happy birthday my dear homeland! Happiness today and forever, my
brothers! Viva Venezuela!!!!"
The 200th anniversary is particularly important for Chavez, whose self-styled
"Bolivarian revolution" is inspired by Simon Bolivar, the Caracas-born
19th-century general who liberated much of Latin America from colonial rule.
Since 1999, the country has been officially known as the Bolivarian Republic of
Venezuela.
Al Jazeera's Monica Villamizar, reporting from Caracas, said: "The military
parade started without the Venezuelan president... people are disappointed as
Chavez could not make it to the occasion."
Return from Cuba
Chavez's return from Havana has enabled him to reassert political control in
Caracas, but it has not dispelled concern about his political future.
In an emotional homecoming speech to supporters from the balcony of his palace
late on Monday, Chavez said he had to submit to "strict" medical treatment but
would win the battle to regain his health.
Thousands gathered opposite the Miraflores palace, cheering, waving banners and
sporting the red colours of the 56-year-old socialist leader's ruling party.
But Al Jazeera's Villamizar said that Venezuela's opposition had doubts about
Chavez's recovery and his ability to run the country while undergoing further
treatment.
"The government has been very secret about his health and even now we don't
know what the treatment will be and how long will it take," she said.
Chavez, who had been in Cuba since June 8, was rushed to hospital on June 10
for what was initially described as a "pelvic abscess".
He revealed on Thursday that he had a cancerous growth, which was fully removed
in a second operation. There had been previous speculation that he was
seriously ill.
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