Chavez back from treatment, asks ‘Where’s the party?’

[NewsCaster]

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez arrives at Simon Bolivar airport in Caracas on Friday following medical treatment in Cuba.By ReutersCARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez made a theatrical return home Friday after medical treatment in Cuba, walking and joking in a first public appearance for three weeks that quashed rumors he may have been at death's door.

"So, where's the party?" an ebullient and robust-looking Chavez said after flying in before dawn to the surprise and delight of supporters.

"I'm happy and enthused to be back again," he told beaming ministers after walking unaided down the steps from his plane at the international airport outside Caracas.


 

The 58-year-old socialist leader has had three cancer operations in Cuba since mid-2011 and returned to Havana 10 days ago to receive "hyperbaric oxygenation" -- a treatment normally used to alleviate bone decay from radiation therapy.

NBCNews