Ailing Chavez is back and bullish — but facing problems

Upstream Staff

 22 February 2013 05:39 GMT

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez this week made a surprise return after spending nearly two months in Cuba where he was recuperating from cancer surgery.

Chavez is reported to be resting in a military hospital in Caracas. Before his return, the Venezuelan government had been trying to downplay reports about the seriousness of his illness. Photos released last week showed a smiling, but bloated Chavez, flanked by his daughters.

“I remain attached to Christ and trusting in my nurses and doctors,” the president tweeted upon his return.

“Onwards to victory forever! We will live and we will conquer!”

However, Chavez is returning to a nation where the currency, despite its vast oil wealth, is in a shambles.

Crime is rising…

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