Venezuelans on Hugo Chavez cancer surgery

Venezuela woke up trying to digest the news that President Hugo Chavez had undergone cancer surgery in Cuba.

In a speech on Thursday, the president - who has been in power for 12 years - revealed he had received surgery to remove a cancerous tumour.

Mr Chavez did not say how much longer he expected to remain in Cuba recovering.

Some Venezuelans, with opposing views, spoke to the BBC about his prolonged absence.