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The Iranian leader attended Hugo Chávez's funeral in Venezuela. Afterward, a photo surfaced that Iran's conservative clerics say shows him sinning — by touching a woman to whom he's not related.

With Chavez gone, his handpicked successor is in the spotlight. Nicolas Maduro has adopted Chavez's style and anti-imperialist rhetoric. That should help boost his appeal as he faces opposition leader Henrique Capriles in a special election April 14.

Venezuela's elections commission announced Saturday that voters will go to the polls on April 14. Henrique Capriles, who opposed Chavez in the last election, is expected to face interim leader Nicolas Maduro.

Late President Hugo Chavez helped out ideological peers in Latin America, as well as key U.S. allies in the Caribbean. But with Venezuela's own financial challenges and an upcoming presidential election, many of those countries are worried their vital oil lifeline is about to be shut off.

Presidents from Cuba to Iran took turns standing guard around Chávez's casket. Chávez will not be interred; instead he'll be on display in perpetuity.

Funeral services will be held Friday for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who died this week after a long battle with cancer. Dozens of presidents and dignitaries are in Caracas, including the leaders of some pariah countries that are adversaries of the United States.

Chávez's remains will be displayed at the Museum of the Revolution, near the presidential palace.

An influential cleric said Ahmadinejad, a close ally to Hugo Chávez, should have left religion out of his letter to the Venezuelan vice president.

Audie Cornish talks to Patrick Duddy, the last U.S. Ambassador to serve in Venezuela. He's currently a visiting senior lecturer at Duke University's Center for International Studies.

The Venezuelan leader had many critics, but he managed to stay in power for 14 years with his theatrical style and the loyal backing of the country's poor.