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Hugo Chavez: Venezuela assembly delays inauguration Hugo Chavez: Venezuela assembly delays inauguration
(about 2 hours later)
The Venezuelan National Assembly has approved a request by President Hugo Chavez to postpone his inauguration for a new term in office, which was scheduled for Thursday.The Venezuelan National Assembly has approved a request by President Hugo Chavez to postpone his inauguration for a new term in office, which was scheduled for Thursday.
Mr Chavez is in hospital in Cuba after cancer surgery, and has suffered complications caused by a lung infection.Mr Chavez is in hospital in Cuba after cancer surgery, and has suffered complications caused by a lung infection.
Legislators voted to give Mr Chavez as much time as he needs to recover. Legislators voted to give Mr Chavez as much time as he needed to recover.
He has not been seen in public since his last operation a month ago.He has not been seen in public since his last operation a month ago.
The government insists that the inauguration is a mere formality for an incumbent leader and can take place at a so far unspecified later date.The government insists that the inauguration is a mere formality for an incumbent leader and can take place at a so far unspecified later date.
The opposition argues that Mr Chavez's current mandate expires on 10 January and is calling on the Supreme Court to rule on the issue.The opposition argues that Mr Chavez's current mandate expires on 10 January and is calling on the Supreme Court to rule on the issue.
The court has scheduled a news conference at 14:00 GMT on Wednesday.The court has scheduled a news conference at 14:00 GMT on Wednesday.
"Right now in Venezuela, without any doubt whatsoever, a constitutional conflict has arisen," opposition leader Henrique Capriles said."Right now in Venezuela, without any doubt whatsoever, a constitutional conflict has arisen," opposition leader Henrique Capriles said.
The opposition is trying to tread a fine line between expressing its views and avoiding anything that could be construed as an attack on a suffering Mr Chavez, says BBC Mundo's Abraham Zamorano in Caracas.The opposition is trying to tread a fine line between expressing its views and avoiding anything that could be construed as an attack on a suffering Mr Chavez, says BBC Mundo's Abraham Zamorano in Caracas.
According to the opposition, Mr Chavez should be declared temporarily incapacitated with the current Speaker of the National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, not Vice-President Nicolas Maduro, taking over as caretaker leader.According to the opposition, Mr Chavez should be declared temporarily incapacitated with the current Speaker of the National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, not Vice-President Nicolas Maduro, taking over as caretaker leader.
They argue that Mr Maduro, who was appointed by Mr Chavez not elected, will cease to be vice-president on 10 January.They argue that Mr Maduro, who was appointed by Mr Chavez not elected, will cease to be vice-president on 10 January.
Rallies called
President Chavez, who has been in power since 1999, was re-elected in October for a fourth term.President Chavez, who has been in power since 1999, was re-elected in October for a fourth term.
The government's insistence on giving Mr Chavez more time to recover from surgery shows how important one individual is to the Socialist Party.
President Chavez's charisma has helped him to win several elections and he inspires devotion among his supporters.
Even if he is not participating in the day-to-day running the country, his allies will want to keep him as a figurehead for as long as possible.
For the opposition, Mr Chavez's continuing illness raises the possibility that another six years of Chavismo may not be inevitable.
They are pressing for Mr Chavez to be declared absent from his post on Thursday.
But rather than rush back to the ballot box, the opposition is arguing for National Assembly Speaker Diosdado Cabello to take over as interim leader.
That would force a major change in government without appearing to attack a very ill man.
After weeks of speculation, Mr Cabello announced to legislators that Mr Chavez had requested to be sworn in at a later date before the Supreme Court, according to Article 231 of the Constitution.After weeks of speculation, Mr Cabello announced to legislators that Mr Chavez had requested to be sworn in at a later date before the Supreme Court, according to Article 231 of the Constitution.
"On the recommendation of his medical team, the process of post-operation recuperation will have to be prolonged beyond 10 January, [as a result of which] he will be unable to present himself on this date to the National Assembly." he said, reading a letter from Mr Maduro."On the recommendation of his medical team, the process of post-operation recuperation will have to be prolonged beyond 10 January, [as a result of which] he will be unable to present himself on this date to the National Assembly." he said, reading a letter from Mr Maduro.
Mr Cabello has called on Chavez supporters to take to the streets of Caracas on Thursday to show support for him.Mr Cabello has called on Chavez supporters to take to the streets of Caracas on Thursday to show support for him.
He said several foreign leaders had agreed to be at the Miraflores Presidential Palace on inauguration day.He said several foreign leaders had agreed to be at the Miraflores Presidential Palace on inauguration day.
But Mr Capriles urged them to stay away and not succumb to "a game by a political party", referring to Mr Chavez's Socialist Party (PSUV).But Mr Capriles urged them to stay away and not succumb to "a game by a political party", referring to Mr Chavez's Socialist Party (PSUV).
In the latest update on Mr Chavez, Information Minister Ernesto Villegas said his condition was "stable", and he was "responding to the treatment".In the latest update on Mr Chavez, Information Minister Ernesto Villegas said his condition was "stable", and he was "responding to the treatment".
Are you in Venezuela? What is your reaction to the inauguration of President Chavez being postponed? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Venezuela? What is your reaction to the inauguration of President Chavez being postponed? Send us your comments using the form below.