This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20957164
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Chavez swearing-in delay legal, rules Venezuela court | Chavez swearing-in delay legal, rules Venezuela court |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Venezuela's Supreme Court has ruled that the postponement of President Hugo Chavez's inauguration for a new term in office is legal. | Venezuela's Supreme Court has ruled that the postponement of President Hugo Chavez's inauguration for a new term in office is legal. |
| Opposition leader Henrique Capriles accepted the ruling as binding, but said it did not end the uncertainty facing Venezuela. | Opposition leader Henrique Capriles accepted the ruling as binding, but said it did not end the uncertainty facing Venezuela. |
| Mr Chavez is in hospital in Cuba after undergoing cancer surgery. | Mr Chavez is in hospital in Cuba after undergoing cancer surgery. |
| Earlier, the National Assembly voted to give Mr Chavez as much time as he needed to recover. | Earlier, the National Assembly voted to give Mr Chavez as much time as he needed to recover. |
| Supreme Court President Luisa Estella Morales said it would be "absurd" to consider Mr Chavez's treatment in Cuba as an unauthorised absence. | Supreme Court President Luisa Estella Morales said it would be "absurd" to consider Mr Chavez's treatment in Cuba as an unauthorised absence. |
| She said that the oath of office could be taken at a later date, as the constitution states, and Mr Chavez's re-election had guaranteed "continuity" in government. | She said that the oath of office could be taken at a later date, as the constitution states, and Mr Chavez's re-election had guaranteed "continuity" in government. |
| Unanimous decision | Unanimous decision |
| In a televised statement, Ms Morales read out the unanimous decision of the panel of seven magistrates who handle constitutional issues before the court. | In a televised statement, Ms Morales read out the unanimous decision of the panel of seven magistrates who handle constitutional issues before the court. |
| She said there was a clear distinction between the act of taking the oath and the beginning of a new mandate. | She said there was a clear distinction between the act of taking the oath and the beginning of a new mandate. |
| Never before has a Venezuelan president missed his swearing-in ceremony. And yet, Venezuelans seem to be no nearer to knowing when their president will return. | Never before has a Venezuelan president missed his swearing-in ceremony. And yet, Venezuelans seem to be no nearer to knowing when their president will return. |
| The Supreme Court has ruled his inauguration can be delayed indefinitely, with a new date to be set once his health problems have been resolved. Earlier, the National Assembly had said Mr Chavez could take as long as he needed to recuperate. | The Supreme Court has ruled his inauguration can be delayed indefinitely, with a new date to be set once his health problems have been resolved. Earlier, the National Assembly had said Mr Chavez could take as long as he needed to recuperate. |
| That means the present situation, with Vice-President Nicolas Maduro acting as head of state in Mr Chavez's absence, could go on indefinitely. | That means the present situation, with Vice-President Nicolas Maduro acting as head of state in Mr Chavez's absence, could go on indefinitely. |
| Opposition groups have made clear their disagreement with this arrangement but they've run out of options to challenge it within Venezuela. They've already contacted the Organisation of American States (OAS) to air their grievance, but it's unlikely this body, which has had a poor relationship with Mr Chavez's government, could influence the situation. | Opposition groups have made clear their disagreement with this arrangement but they've run out of options to challenge it within Venezuela. They've already contacted the Organisation of American States (OAS) to air their grievance, but it's unlikely this body, which has had a poor relationship with Mr Chavez's government, could influence the situation. |
| The Supreme Court considered the swearing-in an important formality, but not indispensable for the start of the new presidential term, she said. | The Supreme Court considered the swearing-in an important formality, but not indispensable for the start of the new presidential term, she said. |
| She said that the swearing-in ceremony would no doubt happen. | She said that the swearing-in ceremony would no doubt happen. |
| "But at this moment, we can't say when, how, or where he [the president] will be sworn in", Ms Morales said | "But at this moment, we can't say when, how, or where he [the president] will be sworn in", Ms Morales said |
| Opposition leader Henrique Capriles said the uncertainties thrown up by President Chavez's absence had not been ended by the court ruling. | Opposition leader Henrique Capriles said the uncertainties thrown up by President Chavez's absence had not been ended by the court ruling. |
| He said the Supreme Court Justices had got involved in party politics by taking their "decision to solve the governing party's problem". | He said the Supreme Court Justices had got involved in party politics by taking their "decision to solve the governing party's problem". |
| He also called on Vice-President Nicolas Maduro, who under the court ruling will continue to govern during Mr Chavez's absence, to "start solving the problems besetting the Venezuelan people". | He also called on Vice-President Nicolas Maduro, who under the court ruling will continue to govern during Mr Chavez's absence, to "start solving the problems besetting the Venezuelan people". |
| Mr Capriles called on his supporters to refrain from taking to the streets in protest at the court's ruling. | Mr Capriles called on his supporters to refrain from taking to the streets in protest at the court's ruling. |
| "We won't get our people out on the streets to confront their [the governing party's] people, and just to be clear, that's not a sign of weakness but a sign that we're building a road towards a better country," he said. | "We won't get our people out on the streets to confront their [the governing party's] people, and just to be clear, that's not a sign of weakness but a sign that we're building a road towards a better country," he said. |
| Earlier, the National Assembly Head and close ally of President Chavez, Diosdado Cabello, had urged supporters of the President to show their continued backing for Mr Chavez by coming to the presidential palace on Thursday. | Earlier, the National Assembly Head and close ally of President Chavez, Diosdado Cabello, had urged supporters of the President to show their continued backing for Mr Chavez by coming to the presidential palace on Thursday. |
| Are you in Venezuela? What is your reaction to President Chavez missing his swearing-in? Send us your comments using the form below. |