Hugo Chavez Cancer Recovery Will Delay Inauguration, Says Venezuela VP; Opposition Leaders Call For Street Protests

The inauguration of Venezuela's ailing President Hugo Chavez will be delayed while he recuperates in a hospital in Cuba after his fourth surgery for an unknown type ofcancer.

"The announcement confirming that Chavez, 58, is too sick to make it back in time for the January 10 inauguration came in a letter to the National Assembly from Vice President Nicolas Maduro," said Agence France-Presse.

"According to the recommendation of the medical team, the process of post-operative recover must extend beyond January 10 of the current year, reason for which he he will not be able to appear on that date before the National Assembly," said the letter, which was read by National Assembly speaker Diosdado Cabello.

The letter referenced Venezuela's constitution, saying Chavez would take the oath before the Supreme Court at a later date. The 14-year-old constitution is actually unclear about what should occur in this circumstance.

Earlier this week, the government released rare information concerning Chavez's health and recovery.

"Chavez hasn't spoken publicly since before his Dec. 11 surgery in Cuba. The government said on Monday Chavez was in a 'stable situation' in a Cuban hospital receiving treatment due to a severe respiratory infection," said ABC News.

Cabello called for a pro-Chavez rally on the day of the inauguration instead. "There will be a big gathering here in Caracas on 10 January. All of Venezuela is going to come to Caracas and be in front of the Miraflores (Presidential) Palace. The people will be on the streets," he said.

Opposition leaders, including the Catholic Church and Henrique Capriles, Chavez's moderate opponent in last October's presidential election, are furious at what they say is a breach of the constitution.

""I do not know what the judges of the Supreme Court are waiting for. Right now in Venezuela, without any doubt whatsoever, a constitutional conflict has arisen," Capriles said.

"There must be a response from our institutions in the face of this conflict."

Monsignor Diego Padron also weighed in. ""It is not our job to intervene publicly, but in this case the good of the country and the defense of ethics are at stake. To alter the constitution to attain a political objective is morally unacceptable." He said.