CARACAS, (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, not seen in public for two weeks, ended his unusual silence with several Twitter messages yesterday, but said nothing about his health after an operation in Cuba.
The reemergence of the loquacious leader on the social networking site will do little to squash speculation that his prolonged absence means he may be seriously ill. Marking a public holiday that celebrates a key military victory over Spanish colonial forces in 1821, Chavez congratulated the armed forces and saluted all Venezuelans.
“Today is my army’s day and the sun rose brilliantly! A huge hug to my soldiers and to my beloved people,” he wrote from his Twitter account, @chavezcandanga.
“From here, I am with you in the hard work every day. Towards victory always! We are winning! We will win!”
Venezuela’s defense minister said on Thursday that the president was stronger than ever but would not rush home until he was ready.
