Chavez to return from Cuba hospital in '12 days'

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will likely return home in 10 to 12 days time after a prolonged hospital stay in Cuba, his brother told state television. Chavez "as officially reported, is recovering well," his brother Adan Chavez, governor of Barinas state, told state outlet VTV on Wednesday. "We do not know exactly when he'll return. We must wait for medical assessment, but in a few days, in 10 or 12 days, the president will be (back) over here," Adan Chavez said. The firebrand leftist leader was hospitalized June 10 in Havana for what officials said was an operation for a pelvic abscess, but has turned into an uncharacteristic, prolonged absence. Usually given to verbose speeches across all media, he has not been seen or heard since the operation, remaining silent in contrast to the interviews, verbose broadcast tirades, and Twitter postings he is known for. Officials have tried to insist that 56-year-old Chavez is recovering well and continuing to give orders from Cuba, and keeping abreast of developments in Venezuela. In the legislature, however, a fierce debate is raging over whether Chavez has the right to rule from abroad, with the minority opposition demanding more transparency.