Russian ties with Venezuela will not remain as close as under the late President Hugo Chavez, but the Kremlin will be able to protect its interests even if the opposition wins, analysts and government officials said.
Russia raised the profile of its delegation sent for Chavez’s funeral, signaling that it wants to maintain strong ties with the country’s new leadership.
Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, who was the most senior Russian representative, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov were included in the delegation at the last minute, Russian media reported, citing government sources.
The members also included Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin, who was previously expected to head the delegation, Russian Technologies CEO Sergei Chemezov and Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov.
Matviyenko, a former Young Communist League official, said in a televised speech Friday that Chavez had been “fighting for the bright future of his country,” a popular Soviet-era phrase featured in the obituaries of foreign communist leaders.
Local officials also contributed to this mood, comparing Chavez to Vladimir Lenin, the founder of Soviet Russia.
In a fashion similar to communist leaders and Egyptian pharaohs, Chavez will be embalmed and preserved in a special tomb, acting President Nicolas Maduro said last week.
Analysts said Russian embalming experts might advise Venezuelan medics on the issue, because the country has vast experience in the matter.
Chavez’s body will remain on display for over a week before the embalming procedures begin.
Moscowtimes
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