Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro says President Hugo Chavez has ended a long and delicate post-operative recovery period and is entering a new phase of cancer treatment.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN VICE PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO SAYING:<br/> <br />"You all know that we have been through complicated moments. Fortunately, the post-operative cycle is closing and the president entered a new phase of treatment for his illness and is recovering little by little."<br/> <br />Chavez underwent cancer surgery in Cuba on December 11. He has since suffered a series of complications.<br/> <br />Chavez has been neither seen nor heard from in public since mid-December when he arrived in Cuba for his fourth operation in 18 months.<br/> <br />His unusual absence, including missing his own inauguration on January 10, has generated doubts that he could return to power.
