Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez greets an adoring crowd.

But it's not good news he's bringing to the masses.

He surprised commentators by announcing he will return to Cuba today for further cancer treatment.

This means he will not attend the Summit of the Americas in neighbouring Colombia or faceoff against the U.S., which is slated to attend the talks.

However, the 57-year-old didn't miss a chance to take a dig at his longtime foe.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ, SAYING:

"One of the issues that should be discussed in the summit, above all because the President of the United States will be there, is the issue of Yankee intervention in the world, the theme of imperialism."

After several trips to Cuba for treatment this year alone, Chavez has struggled to convince Venezuelans that he is getting better.

That could affect his bid to return to office in October.

The summit will focus on regional relations as well as the heated dispute over control of the Falkland Islands between Britain and Argentina.

Jessica Gray, Reuters