Venezuela's Chavez reappears with confidence

CARACAS - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez reappeared Tuesday on TV to express his confidence of winning the upcoming presidential race after he finished his last round of cancer treatment in Cuba.

Chavez spoke with a strong voice and showed no sign of fatigue as he hosted a two-hour-plus ministerial meeting Tuesday, local TV channels reported.

He showed his confidence to win the presidential election scheduled for October 7, saying he would give his rival, the opposition candidate Henrique Capriles, a defeat with "no precedent in the political history of this country."

He also took a good-natured jab at the opposition, saying his party would beat them in the elections.

Chavez also mentioned his intention at the meeting to formally register early next month as a presidential candidate, as required by electoral laws.

It was the first time he made public statements since his return on May 11 from Cuba, where he received the third round of cancer treatment.

Officials said the 57-year-old ex-soldier was now recovering and preparing for the presidential elections.

However, his periodic absences and the lack of information about the exact nature of his cancer have both his backers and detractors keep close tabs on his appearances.

His numerous supporters rejoiced at his comeback, but every time he disappears from the public eye for some time, the opposition and especially his election rival Capriles would stir up suspicion about his health.

During an unusually long nine-day silence in April, when Chavez was in Havana for cancer treatment and only managed to tweet a message to followers, Capriles accused the head of state of "governing via Twitter."

Chavez then put a call in to Venezuelan state television in recent days to say he would soon be back in Caracas, following speculations that his health had badly deteriorated. Media also noted his voice was "healthy-sounding."

Chavez, who is seeking his third six-year term in October, announced earlier in May after returning from Cuba that his anti-cancer treatment had been a success.

He even sang to refute rumors that he was terminally ill. He also admitted that he would accept some follow-up care to relieve the adverse effects of radiotherapy in the next days.

Latest polls have showed that Chavez continues to enjoy overwhelming popularity among voters in the run-up to the presidential vote.