Ailing Hugo Chavez Still In Cuba Ahead Of Swearing-In

A supporter of Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez poses for a portrait as he holds a photograph of Chavez outside the National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela on Saturday. (Ariana Cubillos/AP)

Hugo Chavez is supposed to be inaugurated for another term as president of Venezuela on Thursday but he’s in Cuba, receiving treatment for a severe respiratory infection, after undergoing cancer surgery there last month.

Venezuela’s attorney general says Chavez can be sworn in later because he’s already been re-elected.

But the Venezuelan Catholic Church says Chavez must be present because his third term ends Thursday and he must be sworn in for a fourth term.

Church leaders say that’s what Venezuela’s constitution says.

Guest:

• Sarah Grainger, BBC correspondent in Venezuela. She tweets @sarahgrainger.