( CNN ) -- Hugo Chavez was known to break out into song during his long-winding speeches , and fittingly , traditional Venezuelan llanera music filled the space where his funeral was held . Chavez , who died Tuesday at age 58 , was a polarizing figure in his country . But his followers revered him , and his funeral Friday in Caracas reflected that status . There were 32 heads of state in attendance , and all of them were called , in groups of eight , to flank the Venezuelan president 's casket and observe a moment of silence as honor guards . Venezuelan standouts in the arts and sports likewise surrounded the deceased leader . Chavez left behind a mixed legacy : He is credited with putting the nation 's poor at the center of his policies , but also had an authoritarian streak that garnered criticism from defenders of human rights and press freedom . The turnout of foreign leaders and thousands of mourners who waited hours for a chance to view Chavez is a testament to the role he played in the country , the Rev . Mario Moronta said . Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro , who will be sworn in as interim president later Friday , laid a replica of the sword that South American hero Simon Bolivar used on top of Chavez 's flag-draped casket . Tributes to Chavez were also paid in Cuba , where the military made a 21-gun salute from the La Cabana Fortress overlooking Havana . Military officers placed roses in front of a picture of Chavez . Venezuela and Cuba maintain close military ties , and Cuba sent hundreds of military and intelligence advisers to aid Chavez while he was president . Chavez was known for his anti-American rhetoric and allied himself with others at odds with the United States . Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended and kissed Chavez 's casket . `` He was a dear friend of all nations worldwide , '' Ahmadinejad had said upon his arrival in Venezuela . `` He was the emotional pillar for all the revolutionary and freedom-seeking people of the region and the world . '' The United States , which does n't have an ambassador in Venezuela , was represented at the funeral by the charge d'affaires at its embassy in Caracas , James Derham . U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks , D-New York , and former lawmaker William Delahunt of Massachusetts made up the rest of the U.S. delegation . Hollywood actor and Chavez friend Sean Penn was at the funeral , as was the Rev . Jesse Jackson , who offered a prayer . `` Hugo fed the hungry . He lifted the poor . He raised their hopes . He helped them realize their dreams , '' Jackson said . Hero or villain ? The many ways to see Chavez . Maduro , who Chavez had named as his preferred successor before his death , gave a lengthy , impassioned speech that made him emotional at times . He addressed the view of Chavez as an autocrat and inept leader who left Venezuela worse off than when he assumed power . `` Never has a man , here or anywhere , been lied about so much , '' he said . Chavez was a `` true son of Christ '' who taught the country love and forgiveness , Maduro said . `` That 's why today we say from our hearts , we forgive those who have defamed you . '' Chavez had asked Maduro and other top leaders what they would do when he died , the vice president said . `` He arranged it all for us , and now it is up to us whether we will carry it out or not , '' he said . There was no burial after the funeral , because of an unexpected twist that Maduro announced Thursday . Chavez will be embalmed `` just like Lenin ( and ) Mao Zedong '' and laid to rest at a military museum where generations of Venezuelans can visit . It is a reminder that Chavez 's image will not soon fade . `` The body of our leader will be embalmed , and it will ... be surrounded by crystal glass forever , present forever , and always with his people , '' he said on state-run TV . Opinion : Chavez was a maker of dreams . Chavez died after a long battle with cancer . Thousands of his supporters lined the streets Wednesday in a procession from the military hospital where he died to a military academy where Venezuelans could view him . As president , Chavez cultivated an image as a protector of the country 's marginalized , and his followers worshiped him with fervor . The turnout at the military academy to view Chavez was so great that the viewing was extended for another seven days . Opinion : Chavez used force of personality to win votes . Chavez first announced his cancer diagnosis in June 2011 , but the government never revealed details about his prognosis or specified what kind of cancer he had . CNN 's Patrick Oppmann , Karen Smith and Mitra Mobasherat contributed to this report .
NEW : Funeral includes traditional music , honor guards . NEW : Vice President Chavez gives an impassioned speech . Christ will be sworn in today as interim president . Nicolas Maduro will be laid to rest at a military museum , where South American can visit .