Bolivian President Evo Morales says his ally Hugo Chavez "is now receiving physical therapy" after cancer surgery in Cuba so that he can return home to Venezuela.

Morales says he expects to see the Venezuelan president attending "international events" soon. He says he recently spoke to someone in Cuba about Chavez, but did not elaborate.

Morales made the comments to his country's congress on Tuesday.

Chavez has not been seen or heard in public since undergoing cancer-related surgery in Cuba on Dec. 11, though Venezuelan officials insist he is improving.