His supporters already hold all the seats in the National Assembly, because the opposition boycotted a legislative election in December 2005.

ECONOMIST: Venezuela

He was a legislative aide at the Federal Senate and the National Constitution Assembly.

UNESCO: Culture of Peace Committee hosts 100th Forum in S?o Paulo

But the line of succession was muddied in the immediate aftermath of the death of Mr. Chavez, with a handful of lawmakers from the National Assembly saying that the country's constitution required legislative head Diosdado Cabello be installed as president until a vote is held.

WSJ: Venezuela Leader Ch��vez Dies at 58