Questions revived about exactly who should lead Venezuela until next election

CARACAS — President Hugo Chávez won an additional six-year term in October but was never sworn in. When he died Tuesday, after an 18-month battle with cancer, it revived questions about exactly who should be in charge of this oil-rich nation until new elections can be held. The constitution says that if a president dies before taking office, then the head of the National Assembly, in this case, Diosdado Cabello, should take charge and oversee elections within 30 days. But on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Elías Jaua reiterated the administration’s contention that Vice President Nicolás Maduro will be acting president, even as he runs to keep the office.