CARACAS — President Hugo Chavez will not be able to attend his scheduled swearing-in this week, Venezuela’s government announced Tuesday, confirming suspicions that the leader’s illness will keep him in a Cuban hospital past the key date.

Vice President Nicolas Maduro broke the news in a letter to National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello, saying that on the recommendation of Chavez’s medical team, his recovery process ‘‘should be extended beyond Jan. 10’’ and for that reason he will not be able to attend Thursday’s scheduled inauguration.