Nicolás Maduro Venezuela Interim President: 5 Things To Know About Hugo Chávez's Successor

As the "Latin Times" reported earlier, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has died at the age of 58. Though a few other names have been touted, one government official has the edge over the competition. That man is Nicolás Maduro.

The now-interim president of the Latin American nation was all but hand-selected by Chávez to succeed him if his health failed any further.

"My firm opinion, as clear as the full moon ... is that you elect Nicolás Maduro as president," said Chávez on Venezuelan television in December 2012.

The ringing endorsement of the powerful late leader is expected to echo loudly with the voters of the country.

In his first full day as interim president, he has stuck to Chávez's hardline governing style and sentiments. Alleging that the United States was trying to subvert the Venezuelan government following Chávez's passing, Maduro expelled two U.S. military representatives from the country. Washington denies the allegations.

Though Maduro has always been considered a "Chávista," in the ruling party's ongoing revolution to reshape the country by pushing hard to the left, he is seen as a quieter and more pragmatic leader than his bombastic predecessor.

"He is a quiet and serious man. A very good orator and clear thinker," Argentinian government advisor Agustin D'Attellis told The Guardian.

Maduro has been at Chavez's side for over 20 years. Most recently he repeatedly traveled to Cuba to be with the ailing leader in his hospital room. FOX News reports the two may have met as early as the 1980s, when Chavez organized a group of military officers to try to overthrow the government at the time. Chávez was imprisoned for the attempt.

Some of the bourgeoisie in Venezuela look down on Maduro because of another aspect of his past. He began his working life as a bus driver. However, Maduro worked his way through the ranks of the Caracas Metro system and became a player in local politics by assuming the duties of a trade union representative for his fellow employees at a time when it was illegal to unionize in Venezuela.

Maduro likely faces opposition leader Henrique Capriles in the upcoming presidential election said to be held no later than 30 days from the time of vacancy.