Supporters prayed for Mr Chavez at a Mass in Venezuela’s capital, CaracasVenezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s condition has “improved slightly” after his latest operation for cancer in Cuba, Venezuela’s information minister has said.
Mr Chavez underwent his fourth cancer operation on 11 December but suffered a respiratory infection.
The president, who has been in power since 1999, won another six-year term in October’s presidential election.
Mr Chavez, 58, is scheduled to be sworn in on 10 January.
Bolivian President Evo Morales was in Cuba over the weekend but did not speak to reporters and a Cuban government invitation for media to cover his arrival and departure was withdrawn.
Mr Morales is expected to issue a statement later on Mr Chavez’s condition.
Venezuelan constitution
- Article 231: The president-elect shall take office on January 10 of the first year of their constitutional term, by taking an oath before the National Assembly. If for any reason, (they) cannot be sworn in before the National Assembly, they shall take the oath of office before the Supreme Court.
- Article 233:(…) When an elected President becomes absolutely absent prior to inauguration, a new election…shall be held within 30 days.
- Article 234: When the President is temporarily unable to serve, they shall be replaced by the Executive Vice-President for a period of up to 90 days, which may be extended by resolution of the National Assembly for an additional 90 days.
The lack of any word from Mr Chavez for two weeks has raised serious concerns about his current condition and his ability to attend the swearing-in ceremony.
The Venezuelan constitution states that elections must be held within 30 days if there is an “absolute absence” of the president.
But National Assembly head Diosdado Cabello has said Venezuela will not call fresh elections if President Chavez is unable to be sworn in on 10 January.
Mr Cabello said the swearing-in ceremony would be delayed.
“Since [President] Chavez might not be here on 10 January, [the opposition] hopes the National Assembly will call elections. That’s not going to happen. Commandante Hugo Chavez will continue to be our president,” Mr Cabello said.
According to Mr Cabello, the constitution allows him to be sworn in before Supreme Court justices, but it does not stipulating when or where.
Mr Chavez has said Venezuelans should vote for Vice-President Nicolas Maduro in fresh elections, should his health fail.