Venezuela's Supreme Court said Wednesday that Hugo Chavez’s postponed swearing-in due to his post-operative recovery is legal. Supreme Court president Luisa Estella Morales said the National Assembly allowed the cancer-stricken leader to undergo the surgery in Cuba so his absence can not be considered temporary or permanent. Chavez’s oath will be delayed till his full recovery, during which the Government runs the country.

'Right now we cannot say when, how or where the president will be sworn in,' said Supreme Court Chief Judge Luisa Morales (Photo: AFP)

On Tuesday, the National Assembly released a statement to support Chavez to be re-elected as the president, saying he will inaugurate in front of the Supreme Court as stipulated in the constitution.