Chavez Makes Midnight Return to Venezuela

He's meaner than the cancer

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez made a surprise return from Cuba on Monday more than two months after surgery for cancer that has jeopardized his 14-year rule of the South American OPEC member.

The 58-year-old socialist leader's homecoming in the middle of the night implies some improvement in his condition—at least enough to handle a flight of several hours—and will fuel supporters' hopes he could return to active rule.

But there was no new information on Chavez's medical condition and he might be simply hoping to smooth a transition. No images of his arrival were released and aides have said his state remains "complex."