Photo:AP

The Venezuelan Government on Tuesday said re-elected President Hugo Chavez cannot be sworn before the National Assembly on Wednesday due to health problems. This information was conveyed in a letter from Vice President Nicolas Maduro and announced by President of the National Assembly Diosdado Cabello. Vice President Maduro’s letter said: “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.” The letter said President Chavez will be sworn in at a latter date before the Supreme Court, according to Article 231 of the Constitution. On Monday, Information Minister Ernesto Villegas said doctors are continuing to treat Hugo Chavez’s complications of lung infection and his body is responding to the treatment.