 He was appointed to a number of positions under President Hugo Chávez and was described in 2012 by the "Wall Street Journal" as the "most capable administrator and politician of Chávez's inner circle".He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2006 to 2013 and as vice president of Venezuela from 2012 to 2013 under Chávez.After Chávez's death was announced on 5 March 2013, Maduro assumed the presidency.