“I’m not able to go to the Madrid meeting, but we have commissioned the vice chancellor, (Francisco) Arias Cardenas,” Chavez confirmed in a televised speech.

Chavez, who has repeatedly called the Honduras government illegitimate, recently said he is willing to support the decision of Central American nations to recognize Lobo as president, if former Honduran president, Manual Zelaya Rosales, is allowed to return home and have his political rights restored.

The conference is being held in Madrid, where leaders of the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean are meeting.