World leaders pay tribute to Hugo Chavez
Source: Agencies |
March 9, 2013, Saturday
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WITH leaders from five continents on hand, Venezuela began a day of distinctly different ceremonies yesterday - first the formal state funeral of Hugo Chavez, then the swearing-in of his anointed interim successor, which the opposition vowed to boycott on charges it was unconstitutional.
The funeral at the military academy where Chavez has been lying in state began with Venezuela's national youth orchestra singing the national anthem, led by famed conductor Gustavo Dudamel. More than 30 political leaders, including Cuba's Raul Castro and Iranian firebrand Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, stood at attention before Chavez's flag-draped coffin.
Outside the academy, the line to see Chavez's body stretched 2 kilometers. Progress for those already waiting since the early hours was halted for the funeral.
US Representative Gregory Meeks, a New York Democrat, and former Representative William Delahunt, a Democrat from Massachusetts, represented the United States, which Chavez often portrayed as a great global evil even as he sent the country billions of dollars in oil each year.
Television cameras captured Hollywood star Sean Penn in attendance.
"It is a great pain for us because we have lost a friend," Ahmadinejad said on his arrival at the airport overnight. "I feel like I have lost myself, but I am sure that he still lives. Chavez will never die. His spirit and soul live on in each of our hearts."
On Thursday, Venezuela announced that it would embalm Chavez's body and put it on permanent display, a decision that touched off strong passions on both sides of the deeply divided country, which Chavez ruled for 14 years before succumbing to cancer on Tuesday at the age of 58.
The normally traffic-choked streets of Caracas were empty, with schools and many businesses shut. The government also prohibited sales of alcohol.
Following the funeral, National Assembly Speaker Diosdado Cabello was to swear in Vice President Nicolas Maduro as interim president, as Chavez desired, despite complaints by the opposition that Cabello is the rightful holder of that post under the constitution.
Cabello announced that the swearing-in will be held at the same military academy complex where Chavez's body is lying in state. Normally, presidents in Venezuela are sworn in at the National Assembly.
In announcing the opposition boycott, spokesman Angel Medina said that Maduro's ascension is "a violation of the constitutional order."
"Venezuelans should walk along the path of constitutionality. Today, more than ever we reject that they use the name of the president of the republic, who today is being buried, for political ends," he said.
Critics believe Venezuela's 1999 charter stipulates that the speaker of the National Assembly take power in the event of a presidential death.
The constitution says elections must be held within 30 days of Chavez's March 5 death, though the government has not set a date. Maduro has announced he will be the candidate of Chavez's ruling socialist party against likely opposition candidate Henrique Capriles, and many expect him to ride the wave of emotion following Chavez's death to victory.
Yesterday's funeral was the climax of three days of ceremony that have followed Chavez's death, and Venezuelan media were filled with commentary about the outsized place the late leader held on the world stage.
For many Chavez supporters, and the political insiders he left behind, the task ahead will be continuing the president's political movement beyond his death.
Maduro announced on Thursday that the late president's body will be embalmed and forever displayed inside a glass tomb at a military museum not far from the presidential palace from which he ruled.
Heart-broken supporters were clearly in favor of the effort.
"We must think about the future and how we are going to guarantee the continuity of the revolution," said Rolando Tarazon, a street vendor who was waiting with his wife to see Chavez's body lying in state at the military academy.
The funeral at the military academy where Chavez has been lying in state began with Venezuela's national youth orchestra singing the national anthem, led by famed conductor Gustavo Dudamel. More than 30 political leaders, including Cuba's Raul Castro and Iranian firebrand Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, stood at attention before Chavez's flag-draped coffin.
Outside the academy, the line to see Chavez's body stretched 2 kilometers. Progress for those already waiting since the early hours was halted for the funeral.
US Representative Gregory Meeks, a New York Democrat, and former Representative William Delahunt, a Democrat from Massachusetts, represented the United States, which Chavez often portrayed as a great global evil even as he sent the country billions of dollars in oil each year.
Television cameras captured Hollywood star Sean Penn in attendance.
"It is a great pain for us because we have lost a friend," Ahmadinejad said on his arrival at the airport overnight. "I feel like I have lost myself, but I am sure that he still lives. Chavez will never die. His spirit and soul live on in each of our hearts."
On Thursday, Venezuela announced that it would embalm Chavez's body and put it on permanent display, a decision that touched off strong passions on both sides of the deeply divided country, which Chavez ruled for 14 years before succumbing to cancer on Tuesday at the age of 58.
The normally traffic-choked streets of Caracas were empty, with schools and many businesses shut. The government also prohibited sales of alcohol.
Following the funeral, National Assembly Speaker Diosdado Cabello was to swear in Vice President Nicolas Maduro as interim president, as Chavez desired, despite complaints by the opposition that Cabello is the rightful holder of that post under the constitution.
Cabello announced that the swearing-in will be held at the same military academy complex where Chavez's body is lying in state. Normally, presidents in Venezuela are sworn in at the National Assembly.
In announcing the opposition boycott, spokesman Angel Medina said that Maduro's ascension is "a violation of the constitutional order."
"Venezuelans should walk along the path of constitutionality. Today, more than ever we reject that they use the name of the president of the republic, who today is being buried, for political ends," he said.
Critics believe Venezuela's 1999 charter stipulates that the speaker of the National Assembly take power in the event of a presidential death.
The constitution says elections must be held within 30 days of Chavez's March 5 death, though the government has not set a date. Maduro has announced he will be the candidate of Chavez's ruling socialist party against likely opposition candidate Henrique Capriles, and many expect him to ride the wave of emotion following Chavez's death to victory.
Yesterday's funeral was the climax of three days of ceremony that have followed Chavez's death, and Venezuelan media were filled with commentary about the outsized place the late leader held on the world stage.
For many Chavez supporters, and the political insiders he left behind, the task ahead will be continuing the president's political movement beyond his death.
Maduro announced on Thursday that the late president's body will be embalmed and forever displayed inside a glass tomb at a military museum not far from the presidential palace from which he ruled.
Heart-broken supporters were clearly in favor of the effort.
"We must think about the future and how we are going to guarantee the continuity of the revolution," said Rolando Tarazon, a street vendor who was waiting with his wife to see Chavez's body lying in state at the military academy.
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