NEW : Analyst : Nicolas Maduro was behind radical foreign policy decisions , but also president . Hugo Chavez says he wants Maduro to replace him if his government fails . Chávez , meanwhile , is Venezuela 's vice president and foreign minister . He started his career as a bus driver , then later become a union leader and a politician .
NEW : Analyst : Nicolas Maduro was behind radical foreign policy decisions , but also compromises . Hugo Chavez says he wants Maduro to replace him if his health worsens . Maduro , 50 , is Venezuela 's vice president and foreign minister . He started his career as a bus driver , then later become a union leader and a politician .