Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez 'in good spirits' in Cuba

Venezuela’s top diplomat has said he shared jokes and laughed with President Hugo Chavez during a meeting in Cuba, where the socialist leader has been recovering after cancer surgery.

The Foreign Minister, Elias Jaua, gave an upbeat account via his Twitter account nearly six weeks after an operation that pushed Mr Chavez out of public view.

Mr Jaua said: “Coming out of the meeting with our President comandante Hugo Chavez. We shared jokes and laughed.

“He asked me to pass on, to the people and the armed forces, his thanks for so much loyalty.”