Venezuelan official says Chavez recovering

CARACAS, Venezuela, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has entered a new phase of his recovery following his most recent cancer surgery, a government official said.

Vice President Nicolas Maduro said Saturday Chavez has completed his post-surgery recovery in Havana, RIA Novosti reported.

"Fortunately, the post-surgery cycle is now over, and the president has entered a new stage of his treatment, gradually recovering and getting stronger," Maduro said.

Chavez, 58, was elected to a fourth term last November but was unable to attend his swearing-in last month because he was in Cuba recovering from surgery.

The Venezuelan leader has undergone four cancer surgeries in all.