国际英语新闻:Venezuela's Chavez to miss inauguration

The presidents of Bolivia and Uruguay have so far indicated they will be in Venezuela's capital Caracas Thursday to participate in the massive show of support for the ailing Chavez.

"The rally's goal is first to confirm (Chavez's) victory in the elections held in Venezuela, and second to express the solidarity of Latin American leaders, including Evo Morales, with Hugo Chavez, as well as with the Venezuelan government and people," Bolivia's Communication Minister Amanda Davila said Tuesday.

Uruguay's Senate, meanwhile, authorized President Jose Mujica's travel to Venezuela to participate in the rally for Chavez.

During the proceedings, Uruguayan Vice President Danilo Astori, who is also president of the Senate, said Venezuela's Foreign Ministry invited Mujica as the leader of his country and current president of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) trade bloc, which Venezuela became a full member of in 2012.

"Our work is to support Venezuela's government and people," Mujica said, according to La Republica daily.

Reelected to another six-year term in October, Chavez was to have been sworn in at the National Assembly Thursday, but remains hospitalized in Havana, Cuba after undergoing cancer surgery for the fourth time in December.