(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/130105-cabello-hmed-1p.photoblog600.jpg)Leo Ramirez / AFP - Getty ImagesThe president of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello speaks outside the National Assembly in Caracas on Saturday. He was elected Assembly chief on Saturday as President Hugo Chavez recovered from another cancer surgery in Cuba.By NBC News and wire servicesVenezuelan lawmakers re-elected a close ally of President Hugo Chavez as Assembly chief on Saturday, paving the way for him to become a caretaker president if the socialist leader does not recover from cancer surgery.
Follow @NBCNewsWorld (https://twitter.com/NBCNewsWorld) Diosdado Cabello, a combative ex-soldier, was cemented by the “Chavista”-dominated legislature as the third most powerful figure in government, behind Chavez and Vice President Nicolas Maduro.
"As a patriot ... I swear to be supremely loyal in everything I do, to defend the fatherland, its institutions, and this beautiful revolution led by our Comandante Hugo Chavez," Cabello said as he took the oath, his hand on the constitution.
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