Venezuela's top diplomat said Monday that President Hugo Chavez was joking and giving orders, after disappearing from the public eye six weeks ago for cancer surgery in Cuba.

Chavez designated Vice President Nicolas Maduro as his deputy before flying to Cuba for a fourth round of cancer surgery on December 11. He has not been heard from since.

Opposition members have demanded Chavez speak to the Venezuelan people in media if he is able to, but he has not.

"Compatriots just leaving a meeting with our Commander President Hugo Chavez. We shared some jokes and laughed," Foreign Minister Elias Jaua said on Twitter.

"He made decisions on our participation in the CELAC Summit. So happy we are moving forward," added Jaua, referring to an upcoming summit of Latin American and Caribbean States this week in the Chilean capital Santiago. "I passed along all of your blessings and love. Viva Chavez!"

Aides and family members have had to tamp down speculation that Chavez might not make a full recovery.

Last week, the opposition seized on just a few words,Chavez's stamped signature on a decree,to demand he clarify how sick he is and what he can and cannot do.

The official government gazette published a decree dated Caracas and carrying the stamped signature of Chavez in which Jaua was named as Venezuela's new foreign minister.

Henrique Capriles, a state governor Chavez beat in the elections, said it was puzzling that the decree carried the absent leader's name.

"If the president of the republic can sign decrees, I call on him to appear, and to speak to Venezuela and tell us what is happening in this government," Capriles said.

AFP