Chavez, back in Venezuela, skips independence parade
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, back in his homeland after a prolonged absence in Cuba where he was treated for cancer, did not attend the country’s bicentennial parade in person Tuesday.
Instead, Chavez addressed those at the colorful and lengthy military parade from a room inside the Miraflores presidential palace via loud speakers.
“To my beloved people, to my beloved soldiers, to my beloved country: Here I am recuperated, but still in recovery,” he said in the brief statement.
He said that the way to celebrate the 200 years since Venezuela declared independence was to have “gained independence once again.”