Ailing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez appeared bed- ridden but smiling in photos released Friday giving his nation more confidence following the anxious which prevailed across the country because of the leader’s absence.

Ailing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez appeared bed- ridden but smiling in photos released Friday giving his nation more confidence following the anxious which prevailed across the country because of the leader’s absence.

The pictures show the 58-year-old Chavez lying on his back in a Havana hospital and leafing through Thursday's edition of the official Cuban newspaper Granma.
Chavez supporters rejoiced at the confirmation that the president was alive.

The four images broke a virtual news blackout for Venezuelans who have been living in limbo without their media-happy commandant -- a populist firebrand who is the most visible face of the Latin American left and who has irked the United States by aligning himself with Iran, Syria and Cuba.

For over two months Venezuelans had not seen a photo or TV image of Chavez, nor heard the voice of a man usually omnipresent across state media. Sketchy government updates about his health fueled speculation he was actually dead.

Chavez's absence has also enraged political opponents, who have wondered aloud who is running Venezuela, which has the world's largest proven oil reserves.
He was last seen as he left Caracas airport on December 10 for treatment in Cuba.