Politics, history, theology and grief in Chavez's lavish adios Chavez funeral draws world leaders, celebrities Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Raul Castro and Sean Penn were some of those present for the funeral of Venezuela's charismatic and controversial leader Hugo Chavez. Venezuela has given its late president Hugo Chavez a lavish farewell at a state funeral that brought some of the world's most notorious strongmen to tears, with music, prayers and a fiery speech by his successor. More than 30 heads of state paid tribute to the leftist firebrand as his body lay in state at a military academy on Friday, ending a 14-year reign that divided his nation. "There you are, undefeated, pure, transparent, unique, true, alive forever," his political heir Nicolas Maduro said as his voice rose and cracked in a eulogy that both praised his mentor and railed against his opponents. Paying tribute: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad kisses the casket carrying Hugo Chavez. Mission accomplished, comandante. The struggle goes on," said the Vice-President who was later sworn in as acting president. The Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko dabbed away a tear as the Venezuelan national anthem, Gloria al Bravo Pueblo, swelled up into the roof space above the casket draped in the Venezuelan flag. No language, it seemed, was too strong when it came to honouring Mr Chavez, who died aged 58 on Tuesday after a long fight against cancer. "The struggle goes on": Diosdado Cabello embraces Nicolas Maduro during the swearing in ceremony. He was invincible. He left victorious and no one can take that away. It is fixed in history," Cuban President Raul Castro said, referring to Mr Chavez's run of four presidential election wins during his 14-year rule. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad went further, promising he "will return" along with Jesus Christ and Imam Mahdi, the 10th century figure devout Shiite Muslims believe will come again to spread justice in the world. Until that happens, Mr Chavez is to be embalmed - as Lenin and Mao were before him - and put on permanent display in Caracas's revolutionary museum, in a ghoulish expression of determination that his "Bolivarian Revolution" should long outlive him. Chavez is not dead. Chavez sacrificed himself," the mourners chanted, borrowing the Christian images of the resurrection, as a replica of the sword of Simon Bolivar, the 19th century revolutionary in whose footsteps Mr Chavez claimed to walk, was placed on the casket. Inside the great hall, the ceremony swirled with an inebriating mix of politics, theology, history and genuine grief. This was all about Hugo Chavez, celebrated in death as he was in his life; a bear-sized man with the character to match, who could sweep Venezuelans along, despite the increasing failings of the revolution - the power cuts, the water shortages and the spiralling murder rates that plagued Venezuela's lawless barrios. In addition to alliances with a motley crew of anti-Western autocrats, Mr Chavez had also built friendships with some Hollywood stars, including Oscar winner Sean Penn, who attended the funeral. Agence France-Presse, Telegraph, London