World leaders have gathered in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas for the state funeral of Hugo Chavez, who died on Tuesday from cancer at the age of 58.
Two Americans have been sent to represent the United States at the funeral -- Congressman Gregory Meeks of New York and former Congressman William Delahunt of Massachusetts.
During his tenure, Chavez cultivated ties with many leaders considered anathema to the advancement of democracy, and his funeral is being attended by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Cuban President Raul Castro and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, all of whom, like Chavez, have their issues with Western capitalist society.
Chavez was an outlier in the group, however, as his support within Venezuela was always strong, and he won power through multiple democratic elections.
Millions of mourners have viewed Chavez's body during a procession through the streets of Caracas. It was on display at the military academy where Chavez was educated and eventually taught.
Chavez's body will lie in state for seven days at the military museum where he was captured in 1992 following a failed coup. He spent two years in prison afterward before being released and rallying support to win the presidency.
Vice President Nicolas Maduro said Chavez's body will be embalmed and placed on permanent display in the museum, which will converted into a "museum of the revolution."
Maduro will be sworn in as acting president later on Friday. The Venezuelan Constitution requires that he call elections within 30 days, and as the heir apparent to Chavez, Maduro is the favorite to win, especially so soon after Chavez's death.
But Maduro will need to face Henrique Capriles, who lost last year's presidential election to by Chavez by 9 points, the smallest margin of victory in Chavez's four wins. Capriles has the support of the middle classes, and his moderate progressive policies make him a more palatable option for Western democracies.
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