Thousands of people gathered outside Venezuela's presidential palace Thursday in support of newly re-elected President Hugo Chavez.

Chavez was supposed to be inaugurated January 10th, but he is being treated for cancer in Cuba and was too sick to return home for the event.

Thursday's event was called an "alternative inauguration" and was organized by the government.

Chavez's official swearing-in ceremony has been postponed indefinitely.

Even in his absence, Thursday marked the start of a new term for the president following his reelection in October.