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Venezuelan President Chavez returns to Cuba for surgery

（Xinhua） 14:59, December 11, 2012

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (C) gestures before leaving for Cuba at the Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, Venezuela, Dec. 10, 2012. President Hugo Chavez returned to Cuba early Monday for emergency surgery. (Xinhua/Venezuelan Presidency)

HAVANA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez returned to Cuba early Monday for emergency surgery after designating Vice President Nicholas Maduro as his replacement should he become incapacitated.

Cuban doctors had urged Chavez to undergo surgery over the weekend at
the latest, after detecting a recurrence of cancer, but he apparently postponed the procedure to entrust his government to his closest aide Maduro, who also serves as foreign minister.

He was welcomed by Cuban leader Raul Castro and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez at the Havana international airport.

Chavez also received support and goodwill wishes from other South American leaders.

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