Venezuela VP hopes Chavez can be sworn in Jan. 10

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuela's vice president says the government is still aiming for President Hugo Chavez to be sworn in for a new term as scheduled next month, saying his condition has been improving after his cancer surgery in Cuba.

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.

Maduro's remarks came after National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello floated the idea of postponing the inauguration if necessary.

Chavez hasn't spoken publicly since his Dec. 11 operation, his fourth cancer-related surgery since June 2011. The government said on Tuesday that he had a respiratory infection, though it was controlled.