Thousands gather to support Chavez in his bout with cancer

Thousands of people gathered in central squares across Venezuela and in other Latin American countries on Sunday in support of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez as he undergoes surgery for cancer. The President announced on Saturday that his cancer had reappeared, and that his Cuban medical team had advised another operation as soon as possible to remove the cancerous cells. Chavez’s supporters mourned the news, and prayed for his recovery.

Rallies took place in the central squares of most major cities in Venezuela, as well as in other Latin American countries. The photos here are from Caracas, Maracaibo, and Mérida, as well as Managua, Nicaragua, and Havana, Cuba.