Vice President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in Friday as acting president of Venezuela in a ceremony held in the National Assembly in Caracas, three days after the death of President Hugo Chavez. Asked if he swore to uphold the laws of the country and to follow the constitution, Maduro said, "I swear." In a speech on the occasion, Maduro said "We are here to guarantee peace, safety and political stability and the lifting up of the poor in Venezuela will continue. Onward and upward with socialism!" Maduro appealed to the opposition to field a presidential candidate for elections that are to be held in 30 days. "Some of them are here today," he said. "Welcome." About the elections, he said, "May the best person win. The people will decide," according to a report of CNN.
