Hugo Chavez returns to Venezuela

Hugo Chavez returned to Venezuela from Cuba today (GETTY)

President Hugo Chavez returned to Venezuela from Cuba today, declaring that he felt "fine" as he recovered from surgery that removed a cancerous tumour.

State television showed video of him leaving Havana and then arriving in Caracas about 2am.

"I'm fine. I'm happy," Mr Chavez said. He hugged his vice president, Elias Jaua, and his elder brother, Adan, after stepping down the stairs from the plane.

"A perfect landing," Mr Chavez said.

Later he told state television he was having breakfast. "I'm devouring everything," he said.