Former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s influence didn’t completely wane in his death. His handpicked successor, Vice President Nicolas Maduro, will run Venezuela for the next 30 days.
He will then seek the office as a socialist candidate in a special election, The Associated Press reports.
Venezuela law dictates that the speaker of the National Assembly, who is now Diosdado Cabello, should have been moved into the interim presidency slot.
The country is now in state-ordered mourning for Mr. Chavez, AP says, with his funeral set for Friday. The mourning, which has closed the nation’s schools, will last seven days, AP says.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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