Constitutional fight grows over Chavez's status

By Agencies in Caracas, Venezuela | China Daily | Updated: 2013-01-09 08:08

Leaflets in supporting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez being sold at a shop in Caracas on Monday. The Catholic Church has weighed in with four days to go before Chavez, who is in Cuba recovering from cancer surgery, is supposed to be sworn in to a new six-year term. Leo Ramirez / Agence France-Presse

A constitutional fight over ailing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's status intensified on Tuesday with the government planning a massive show of support in the streets on the day he is supposed to be sworn in to a new term.