Mr Hugo Chavez, who once led a failed military coup, demonstrated his political survival skills early today with his triumphant return to the Venezuelan presidential palace in the wake of a failed putsch against him.
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Mr Hugo Chavez with supporters as he returns to the Venezuelan presidential palace
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Two days after his apparent political demise, the flamboyant friend of Cuban leader Mr Fidel Castro appeared to have engineered a stunning reversal of fortunes as he reclaimed the seat of power.
Last Friday the Venezuelan leader was placed under arrest after being forced from office amid bloody protests. He had buckled under a combined challenge from business and union leaders.
But interim President, Mr Pedro Carmona, resigned overnight just 24 hours after he took power.
"With full responsibility before the nation and the Venezuelan people, I present this resignation," Mr Carmona said last night after a turbulent day in which power slipped from his hands and troops loyal to Mr Chavez regained control of the presidential palace.
Mr Chavez's deputy, Mr Diosdado Cabello, then stepped in to temporarily assume the presidency until Mr Chavez "reappeared".
First elected in 1998 on a populist platform, Mr Chavez (47) was re-elected in July 2000 for a six-year mandate.
AFPand