For health reasons, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez suspended at the last minute his participation in the Presidential Summit on Food Sovereignty and Safety to be held in Managua, Nicaragua, reported state-run news agency Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias (ABN).

During the opening of the meeting at the Plaza de la Revolución in Managua, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nicolás Maduro acted on behalf of the president and explained the reasons for his absence.

"Unfortunately, President Hugo Chávez has had a health problem as a result of the strenuous work. He technically does not take a break in his effort to build the ongoing revolution," he said.

No details were provided on Chávez's health condition; however Maduro highlighted the president's request to express "our unwaveringly eagerness to act in solidarity with the government of Daniel Ortega and the people of Nicaragua," DPA quoted.