Venezuelan president declares recovery from cancer

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Thursday said he has recovered from cancer, ending a four-month battle he had with the malignant tumor. "I'm free of illness," Chavez said during a visit to the southeastern state of Tachira, citing the medical tests that he had gone through in Cuba, which showed no signs of any malignant cells. "It's a new Chavez who has come back to Venezuela... a Chavez who once again will be with the people," he said. The 57-year-old president was greeted by thousands of supporters in the streets of Tachira on his way to attend a church service, where he expressed thanks for his recovery. Chavez had a surgery in Cuba in June to remove the cancerous tumor, and later received four rounds of chemotherapy from July to September, which his Cuban doctors declared "successful". The president said he would continue treatment till a "complete recover", as well as undergo further medical examinations to ensure there is no return of cancer cells. Chavez will run for re-election in October 2012 and vowed to win the race. "There is much work to do," he said.