Chávez, Too Ill to Return to Venezuela, Will Be Sworn In Later, Official Says

By WILLIAM NEUMAN, NYT

CARACAS, Venezuela — Hugo Chávez, Venezuela’s cancer-stricken president, will not return from Cuba this week in time to be sworn in for the start of his new term, a top government official said on Tuesday, adding that the ceremony could legally take place at a later date.

Vice President Nicolás Maduro reported the president’s expected absence from Thursday’s scheduled inauguration in a letter to the National Assembly. The letter was read during an assembly session by the legislative leader, Diosdado Cabello.

In the letter, Mr. Maduro invoked a disputed section of the Constitution that government officials say allows the swearing-in to take place in the future.

The country has been on edge amid a growing clash over opposing interpretations of the Constitution. While the letter cleared up one mystery hanging over Thursday’s event, it is still not clear if Mr. Chávez will recover and when, or if, he will be able to return and continue to govern.

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