Ailing Chavez sits out Venezuela celebrations

CARACAS — After returning suddenly from Cuba, cancer-stricken President Hugo Chavez was the notable absentee Tuesday from Venezuela's bicentennial parade, lying low as he recovered from surgery.Chavez, 56, didn't completely miss out on celebrations marking 200 years of independence from Spain, telling Venezuelans in a video message on a giant screen erected in the capital Caracas: "I am with you in body and soul."The day after his return from Cuba, the anti-American firebrand claimed Venezuela had gained independence anew under his stewardship -- this time from multinational companies, foreign powers and the Venezuelan bourgeoisie."There is no better way to celebrate this long-awaited day than in being independent as we are again. We are no longer a colony, like we were, and we will never be one again," the leftist leader said. Chavez, who has been president of Venezuela since 1999 and has already declared his intention to seek another six-year term in 2012, has nationalized key sectors of the Venezuelan economy, such as oil and gas.His anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist rhetoric, regional powerbrokering skills and health and education programs for the poor have garnered him strong public support hovering at around 50 percent in most surveys.Thousands of supporters chanted "he's back, he's back," while a parade displaying the latest military equipment -- much of it purchased from key allies China and Russia -- passed by in a triumphant show of strength.No opposition leaders took part in the parade. Venezuela is sharply polarized along political lines, and the differences between the pro- and anti-Chavez sides are wider than ever."This celebration belongs neither to a government, nor a single person. It belongs to all Venezuelans," the opposition Coalition for Democratic Unity said in a statement.Chavez met later with a triumvirate of visiting leftist allies, presidents Evo Morales of Bolivia, Jose Mujica of Uruguay, and Fernando Lugo of Paraguay -- all of whom, unlike him, participated in the parade.On dis

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