With confirmation from an audit of the April 14 polls, Venezuela’s new President Nicolas Maduro took the oath of office yesterday, succeeding the late former President Hugo Chavez with a pledge to govern for all Venezuela.

Maduro, who served as Vice President under Chavez’s 14-year rule, won closely contested elections on April 14, the results of which were challenged by opposition contender Henrique Capriles.
In the presence of Heads of State and Government from around the Caribbean and Latin America and further afield, President Maduro expressed willingness to forge cooperation in the process of building an inclusive nation for everyone.
President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett were in attendance today at the inauguration.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported President Maduro as saying that he would tackle corruption and crime, and carry on Mr. Chavez’s social programmes.
Following the death of Chavez, on March 8, Maduro was sworn in as the country’s interim President while the Bolivarian Republic prepared for constitutional elections 30 days after.
On that occasion, Maduro acknowledged the presence of President Ramotar and the bonds of friendship that the two countries perpetuated under the stewardship of the late Venezuelan President.