Officials say Hugo Chavez will not be in Venezuela for inauguration day . Chavez has not been seen in public and officials have not released any photographs of him since he arrived in Havana for his fourth cancer operation in early December , fueling speculation that his health is worse than the government is letting on . The Venezuelan leader has been hospitalized since last month after a stroke and is expected to remain there until his recovery. Chavez 's term automatically renews , the government says . The constitution makes it clear that this is not the case , opponents say .
Officials say Hugo Chavez will not be in Venezuela for inauguration day . The Venezuelan leader has been hospitalized since last month after a stroke and is expected to remain there until his recovery. Chavez 's term automatically renews , the government says . The constitution makes it clear that this is not the case , opponents say .