Venezuela's Hugo Chavez recuperating after cancer surgery

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is recuperating after a recent cancer surgery, local media reported Tuesday.

Chavez was able to leave bed rest to walk about and do some exercises as part of his post-operative recovery program, Vice President Nicolas Maduro announced late Monday, in the latest official update on the president's state of health.

Chavez called Maduro from Havana, Cuba, where he underwent surgery, and "during the 20-minute conversation that we had, he was walking, doing some exercises that are part of his daily treatment," Maduro told state-run VTV by phone.

News of the call from Chavez, which Maduro said was "a Christmas present," sparked a flurry of hopeful messages on Twitter by Venezuelans loyal to the ailing head of state.

Chavez underwent a fourth round of surgery on Dec. 11, since he was first diagnosed with cancer in the pelvic region in June 2011. The President‚ who has been in power since 1999‚ won another six-year term in October's presidential election and is scheduled to be sworn in to a third six-year term on Jan. 10.