TEHRAN, YJC. -- Nicolas Maduro who is Venezuela's interim president, has named Jorge Arreaza, Chavez's son-in-law, as his vice president Science and Technology Minister.
Arreaza had frequently been at the side of the dying president in his final weeks, sometimes providing updates about his health.
Maduro also claimed the allegiance of Venezuela's army, calling it "the armed forces of Chavez" as he pumped his fist in the air, a gesture that was reciprocated by the defense minister watching from the gallery. Critics have voiced increasing concern about the overt support the military has shown to the ruling party since Chavez's death, despite a ban on the army's participation in politics.
Nicolas Maduro was sworn in Friday as Venezuela's acting president, using the occasion to launch blistering attacks on the U.S. as well as the political opposition, which objected that the ceremony violated the country's constitution.
Nicolas Maduro has been sworn in as Venezuela's acting president during Chavez funeral ceremony yesterday.
Late President Hugo Chavez designated Maduro as his successor before he died Tuesday of cancer. Maduro had been Chavez's vice president.
The country's 1999 constitution says the National Assembly speaker becomes interim president in the event of a president-elect's death or inability to be sworn in. The constitution also says new elections should be called within 30 days.
Maduro has been picked as the presidential candidate of Chavez's socialist party.