Venezuela's Chavez stages cancer-comeback rally
Source: Reuters
Venezuela's Chavez stages cancer-comeback rally
By Brian Ellsworth
CARACAS | Mon Jun 11, 2012 6:42pm EDT
(Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez led his biggest rally since he was diagnosed with cancer a year ago, seeking to stage a show of strength on Monday as he heads into a re-election campaign to extend his 13 years of socialist rule.
Chavez stood on top of a truck as it drove through huge crowds of supporters who cheered and threw roses and confetti as he made a dramatic re-entry into the public eye after months of keeping a low profile during cancer treatment.
The rally in Caracas was all the more important after his opposition rival, Henrique Capriles, put on a show of youthful vigor on Sunday by leading a 10 km (6.2 mile) march with hundreds of thousands of supporters to register his candidacy.
"I give this to you with a promise to fight, to battle, and of course to win," the 57-year-old Chavez said as he handed electoral officials his plan for government.
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