Venezeula hoping Hugo Chavez will be well enough to attend inauguration Vice President Nicolas Maduro declined to speculate when asked about scenarios if the ailing president is unable to take the oath of office on Jan. 10. He took the stance amid mounting concerns over the president's tough fight against complications following his fourth cancer-related operation, and a day after National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello floated the idea of postponing Mr Chavez's inauguration if necessary. "We're concentrating on prayer, on faith, on medical treatment that is among the best in the world, so that our commander in chief and president upholds his sacred duty on Jan. 10," Mr Maduro said at a news conference. Day after day ... he has been getting better, and he's the commander of a thousand victories, he's the commander of miracles. Mr Maduro, whom Mr Chavez designated as his chosen successor before the surgery, also said that if Mr Chavez isn't able to be sworn in as planned, "he left clear, public instructions about any scenario." The 58-year-old president has not spoken publicly since his Dec. 11 surgery for pelvic cancer, and on Tuesday the government said he had a respiratory infection, though it was controlled. Mr Chavez also suffered bleeding during the six-hour operation, which the government has said was promptly staunched. National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello raised the idea of postponing the inauguration on Tuesday, telling reporters it was simply his personal opinion and not an official proposal. The constitution says the president should be sworn in for a new term on Jan. 10. Information Minister Ernesto Villegas last week said that if it was not possible for Mr Chavez to return in time, Venezuelans should be prepared to understand, though he didn't elaborate.