Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez poses for a photo with his daughters, Maria Gabriela, left, and Rosa Virginia at an unknown location in Havana, Cuba, Feb. 14, 2013.
CBS NEWS
CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuelan President Hugo
Chavez returned home to Venezuela early Monday after more than two
months of medical treatment in Cuba following cancer surgery.
Chavez announced his return in a series of message on his Twitter account, saying "we will continue our treatment here."
They were the first messages to appear on Chavez's Twitter account since Nov. 1.
"I'm
clinging to Christ and trusting in my doctors and nurses," Chavez said
in another tweet. "Onward toward victory always!! We will live and we
will triumph!!"
Vice President Nicolas Maduro said on television that Chavez at arrived at 2:30 a.m.
Chavez's
office published photos on Friday of the president in bed in Cuba
during a visit by his daughters. They were the first proof that the
Venezuelan leader is still alive, and they were published amid
increasing rumors and speculation regarding his health.
Information
Minister Ernesto Villegas said Friday that Chavez was breathing through
a tracheal tube that makes it difficult for him to speak. Government
opponents have been demanding more information about Chavez's condition,
and have been asking why he hasn't spoken to the nation to explain his
condition.
Medical experts consulted by The Associated
Press have said the government's recent account of "systemic medical
treatment" could mean various types of chemotherapy or drug treatments,
depending on the type of cancer.
The 58-year-old
president has been undergoing cancer treatment in Cuba on-and-off since
June 2011. He has had tumors removed from his pelvic region, and has
also undergone prior rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatment.