Penitent Chavez returns to power

Triumphant yet chastened, Venezuela’s president Hugo Chavez returned to office on the wings of a popular uprising two days after he was ousted in a botched coup, saying he had had time to reflect on his mistakes and was prepared to ‘‘make corrections’’.

‘‘I do not come with hate or rancour in my heart, but we must make decisions and adjust things,’’ Chavez said, moments after landing by helicopter at the presidential palace in Caracas, which was surrounded by tens of thousands cheering his return.