Chavez returns home after cancer surgery in Cuba

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on his Twitter account Monday that he has returned home after a two-month cancer treatment in Cuba.

"We have arrived again to the Venezuelan homeland. Thank you, God! Thank you, my beloved people! We shall continue the treatment here," Chavez said in a Twitter post.

Image provided by the Venezuelan Presidency shows the supporters of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez celebrating his return at Bolivar Square, in Caracas, Venezuela, on Feb. 18, 2013. (Xinhua)

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro on Monday hailed Chavez's return, saying in a letter that a long and anxious wait was over for the Venezuelan people.

According to Vice President Nicolas Maduro, Chavez arrived at Caracas at 2:30 a.m. local time and was sent to Dr. Carlos Arvelo Military Hospital for further treatment.

Chavez's return came days after the Venezuelan government released some images of him for the first time since the cancer surgery in Cuba two months ago. Aides said Chavez had difficulty breathing and was being aided by a tracheal tube, making it difficult for him to speak.

Chavez was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. He appeared to have overcome the disease after his third operation and was declared cancer-free prior to Venezuela's general elections last fall, in which he was reelected for the third time.

As his recovery was complicated by a lung infection in December, Chavez missed his Jan. 10 inauguration, which was then postponed until his condition improves, despite objection from opposition parties.