AS/COA’s Eric Farnsworth comments on interim leader Nicolás Maduro’s claim of having been blessed by the deceased Hugo Chávez to head Venezuela and carry his socialist mantle.

The late president leaves behind a questionable legacy in actually improving lives.

Crowds have waited to glimpse Chávez’ body for nine consecutive days (slideshow).

“President Hugo Chávez left Venezuela burdened with a huge amount of debt which is going to be difficult to service” by his next successor, points out AS/COA’s Eric Farnsworth.

In El Tiempo, AS/COA’s Eric Farnsworth writes that interim leader Nicolás Maduro will focus on solidifying his political position while seeking to fix the economy.

El líder interino Nicolás Maduro reforzará su legitimidad política como defensor del legado chavista y continuará manteniendo a Estados Unidos a distancia, escribe Eric Farnsworth para El Tiempo de Colombia.