VENEZUELA: A woman who bashed President Nicolas Maduro on the head with a mango has been promised a new house for her troubles in a surreal tropical tale that has gone viral in Venezuela.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez held an energetic homecoming celebration today, rallying thousands of supporters from a balcony of the presidential palace after nearly three weeks in Cuba for cancer surgery.

Venezuelans yesterday voted in the country’s first-ever opposition presidential primary, choosing a single challenger they hope will have what it takes to defeat President Hugo Chavez after 13 years in office.

A prison watchdog group in Venezuela said thousands of inmates in seven prisons are on a hunger strike demanding improved conditions.