Venezuelan VP says Chavez's surgery 'successful'

Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro (C) flanked by cabinet members statement about President Hugo Chavez's cancer surgery in Caracas Dec 11, 2012. Chavez's cancer operation in Cuba on Tuesday was successful, his vice-president Maduro said, adding it was a complicated procedure that lasted more than six hours. [Photo/Agencies]

CARACAS - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was recovering after receiving a "successful" cancer surgery in Cuba, Vice-President Nicolas Maduro said Tuesday.

In a statement broadcast on state TV, Maduro said Chavez, accompanied by a number of senior Venezuelan officials, had been moved to a room to recover and begin "special treatments."

The surgery was complicated and lasted about six hours, he added.

Maduro thanked the Venezuelan people for their support to Chavez, saying he hoped that all Venezuelans would pray for a speedy recovery for their president.

Earlier in the day, Minister of Communication and Information Ernesto Villegas said Chavez's medical team expressed optimism about the outcome of the surgery and his recovery.

He said Chavez "looked confident he will overcome the obstacles that have come up at this time in his life."

Chavez, who has taken four rounds of surgeries in Cuba since he was  first diagnosed with cancer in 2011 so far, went to Cuba Monday after announcing that he had to undergo emergency surgery due to a recurrence of cancer that could leave him unable to perform his duty.

He has also received support and goodwill wishes from many Latin American leaders and governments.

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, who traveled to Havana on Monday to support Chavez, reaffirmed solidarity with the Venezuelan leader.

"Hugo Chavez is not alone in this fight. We came here to give him a hug in the name of the Ecuadorian people. He is a historic president and a great friend," he told journalists before returning home Tuesday.

In a Tweeter post, he wrote: "Chavez is in great spirit, he gives strength to all!"