委内瑞拉总统治病归来首次向支持者致辞

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has addressed thousands of supporters in the capital, Caracas, following his return from medical treatment in Cuba.

委内瑞拉总统乌戈·查韦斯从古巴接受药物治疗归来后，在首都加拉加斯向成千上万的支持者致辞。

They cheered as he waved the Venezuelan flag from his palace's balcony and said he would win his health battle.

Mr Chavez, 56, had been in Cuba since 8 June, where he underwent an operation to remove a cancerous tumour¹.

He said however he would not be able to take part in national independence celebrations on Tuesday.

He said he would not attend the parade but would follow it from the presidential palace.

Dressed in his trademark² green military fatigues³（工作服） and red beret（贝雷帽） , Mr Chavez initially⁴ led the exultant⁵（狂喜的） crowd in a robust⁶ rendition of Venezuela's national anthem⁷, Gloria al Bravo Pueblo⁸ (Glory to the Brave People).

"The return has begun," he said, thanking the people for their support. "This is the best medicine for whatever illness."

Speculation⁹ calmed

Standing¹⁰ unaided, Mr Chavez spoke¹¹ without notes for around 30 minutes.

At one point he held up a crucifix（十字架） , saying: "Christ is with us!"

The thousands-strong crowd, bedecked（装饰） in the red of his ruling Socialist¹² party, chanted back: "Oh, no! Chavez won't go!"

Earlier, Mr Chavez said he had spent "very difficult days" in Cuba but that his recovery was going well.

Mr Chavez, who has led Venezuela for 12 years and survived a coup¹³ attempt in 2002, told state TV he was under very strict medical supervision¹⁴ "with medication, rest, meals controlled".

There had been widespread speculation about Mr Chavez's health after he left Venezuela more than three weeks ago for what officials said was an operation on a pelvic（骨盆的） abscess.

Last week he revealed he had also had surgery to remove a cancerous tumour. He said he was determined¹⁵ to win his health battle and was on the road to recovery.

Political observers speculated that he could be gone for months, and some questioned whether he could realistically return to office.

Although his return has calmed much speculation, correspondents say it is still unclear how serious Mr Chavez's condition is or if he will need continued treatment that will leave him weak.

Mr Chavez's extended stay in Cuba led to the postponement¹⁶（延期） of a regional summit scheduled to begin on Tuesday.