Mr Chavez has been away from Venezuela for nearly a month Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has arrived back in his country after receiving medical treatment in Cuba.
Footage shown on state TV showed the leader saying goodbye to Cuban leader Raul Castro, then getting off a plane at Maiquetia airport outside Caracas.
Mr Chavez has been in Cuba since 8 June, where he underwent an operation to remove a cancerous tumour.
His return comes a day before Venezuela marks its independence day.
Mr Chavez, wearing a blue and white tracksuit, was seen on TV shaking hands with officials on his arrival at the airport near Caracas.
“I’m fine. I’m happy,” he said. “A perfect landing.”
In a telephone interview later, Mr Chavez told state television he was having breakfast and “devouring everything”.
Venezuelans woke to the news that President Chavez had arrived at Maiquetia airport in the early hours.
Official pictures showed him smiling and embracing some of his ministers, a much happier Hugo Chavez than the one we saw a few days ago, announcing to Venezuelans he had been treated for cancer.
After that pre-recorded message from Havana, many thought he would not be returning to Venezuela for some time.
In a telephone interview with state TV, the president said his first priority was to arrange his treatment schedule.
Chavez supporters are expected to gather outside the presidential palace later on Monday to see him appear on the balcony and to shout their now familiar slogan: “Pa-lante comandante!” (“Forward my commander!”)
He said he had spent “very difficult days” in Cuba but that his recovery was going well.
A post on his Twitter account said: “Here I am, back home and very happy. Good morning my beloved Venezuela! Good morning beloved people. Thanks be to God. It is the beginning of the return.”
Mr Chavez told state TV he was under very strict medical control “with medication, rest, meals controlled”.
He said he would not be able to take part in Tuesday’s independence day parade but would follow it from the presidential palace.
State TV said Mr Chavez, 56, might make an appearance on the balcony of his presidential palace later on Monday.
“We are delighted the president is home,” said Vice-President Elias Jaua, who was among those at the airport.
There had been widespread speculation about Mr Chavez’s health after he left Venezuela more than three weeks ago for what officials said was an operation on a pelvic abscess.
Last week he revealed he had also had surgery to remove a cancerous tumour. He said he was determined to overcome his health battle and was on the road to recovery.
On Tuesday Venezuela celebrates the 200th anniversary of its declaration of independence from Spain.
Mr Chavez’s extended stay in Cuba led to the postponement of a regional summit scheduled for 5 July.
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