Thousands celebrate Chavez's return to Venezuela
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez salutes before his departure to Venezuela from the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, Cuba. Chavez returned to Venezuela from Cuba on Monday morning, stepping off a plane hours before dawn and saying he is feeling better as he recovers from surgery that removed a cancerous tumor. (July 4, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
CARACAS, Venezuela — Thousands of supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez are celebrating their leader's surprise return from Cuba at a rally outside the presidential palace.
The crowd is waiting to hear Chavez address them from the balcony of Miraflores Palace.
Revelers are waving Venezuelan flags and chanting "Thank you, Fidel, for taking care of him!" Fidel Castro often visited Chavez in Cuba after the Venezuelan leader underwent surgery to have a cancerous tumor removed.
Chavez arrived home early Monday morning, a day before the country is to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its declaration of independence from Spain.
He is expected to give the speech Monday afternoon.
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