Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez made a surprise return to Caracas in the wee hours Monday morning.

Camera personnel from state-run VTV television were called to film Chávez descending the plane at the Maiquetía International Airport near Caracas around 3 AM local time.

“I’m fine, I’m happy,” Chávez, wearing a blue and white track suit, told state media.

A crowd of people gathered to greet Chávez, including the Vice president Elías Jaua. Yesterday Jaua had said that he would not take over the president’s powers and that Chávez could legally keep governing the country for six months from Cuba. Jaua gave no intimation that Chávez was expected home.

Jaua also affirmed that Chávez still plans to run in next year’s presidential race.

Chávez had been incommunicado for nearly three weeks following surgery June 10 that officials said was to remove a painful abscess in his abdomen. During his absence rumors flew fast and furious about his health with officials and supporters vehemently denying that the president was seriously ill. On June 30, Chávez broke his silence and announced that he indeed had cancer.

Chávez’s arrival is well timed to allow the president to participate in the 200th anniversary of Venezuelan independence from Spain on July 5.

Professor of International Relations at Webster University, in St. Louis, Daniel Hellinger, correctly predicted Sunday that Chávez would return to Venezuela as soon as he could.

“I think he will return to Venezuela as quickly as possible, not just for constitutional reasons, but because he needs to stay on top of managing the internal politics of his movement and to stave off any possible unrest in military ranks,” Hellinger said in an email.

With his announced intention to run again for president, Chávez now faces doubts that he will be able to rule in office with his health concerns.

“Something to keep in mind,” said Hellinger, “is that Chávez could actually give up the presidency but still effectively govern the country as head of the party. No one comes close to having the personal authority he has. Any president appointed in his place would be beholden to Chávez.”

Chávez, who is publicly optiministic about his health, was very much more subdued when he announced his cancer saying he had made a “fundamental error” in not watching his own health more carefully.

Hellinger said that the Venezuelan comandante’s health concerns “must be some kind of wake-up call” and that Chávez may heighten the intensity of his next actions.

“Will he try to accelerate the Revolution through some kind of mobilization? That is, will he decide he has to move once and for all not only against the opposition but against the corruption and cronyism in his own party?” Hellinger asked.

“If so,” he added, “will it be by democratic or authoritarian means?”

In a post on his Twitter account this morning, Chavez said: “I am back home and very happy. Good morning my beloved Venezuela! Good morning beloved people.”

With additional reporting by Jack Phillips

Chavez Makes Surprise Return