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Wednesday 6 March 2013

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez dies after developing 'severe infection' during battle with cancer


Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has died in hospital at the age of 58 after developing a severe respiratory infection during his battle with cancer.
Supporters of the president, who had been fighting the disease for two years, claimed he had been infected by ‘imperialist enemies’.
The country's vice president Nicolas Maduro, surrounded by other government officials, made the announcement during a national television broadcast last night.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has died in hospital at the age of 58 after developing a severe respiratory infection during his battle with cancer.
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has died in hospital at the age of 58 after developing a severe respiratory infection during his battle with cancer
Chavez
Chavez
Unity: Chavez died at 4:25pm local time in the country's capital Caracas, according to the announcement
He said that the long-standing president died at 4:25pm local time in the country's capital Caracas, using the broadcast to call for  'unity, tranquility and understanding'. 
‘We have no doubt that commander Chavez was attacked with this illness,’ added Mr Maduro, fingering ‘imperialist’ foes led by the United States.
He said: 'The old enemies of our fatherland looked for a way to harm his health.’
Mr Maduro called on Venezualans to be 'dignified inheritors of the giant man', adding: 'Let there be no weakness, no violence. Let there be no hate. In our hearts there should only be one sentiment: Love. Love, peace and discipline.' 
In downtown Caracas, shops and restaurants began closing and Venezuelans hurried home after hearing the news.
 
US President Barack Obama said that his country hoped to develop its relationship with Venezuela.
In a statement, he said: 'At this challenging time of President Hugo Chavez's passing, the United States reaffirms its support for the Venezuelan people and its interest in developing a constructive relationship with the Venezuelan government.
'As Venezuela begins a new chapter in its history, the United States remains committed to policies that promote democratic principles, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.'
British Foreign Secretary William Hague paid tribute to the leader, who he said left a 'lasting impression' on the country.
Mr Hague said: 'I was saddened to learn of the death of President Hugo Chavez. As President of Venezuela for 14 years he has left a lasting impression on the country and more widely.
'I would like to offer my condolences to his family and to the Venezuelan people at this time.'
Leader: Chavez had run Venezuela for more than 14 years, gradually placing all state institutions under his personal control
Leader: Chavez had run Venezuela for more than 14 years, gradually placing all state institutions under his personal control
Election: Chavez's death is expected to trigger an election to determine who will replace the socialist leader
Election: Chavez's death is expected to trigger an election to determine who will replace the socialist leader
World leader: Chavez pictured with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace 2001
World leader: Chavez pictured with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2001
The country's foreign minister Elias Jaua last night said that elections will be held in 30 days to determine who shall replace Chavez.
A government spokesman had earlier said that the far-left leader, who has held control in the country for 14 years, was in a 'very delicate' condition in hospital.
The news came just hours after Mr Maduro announced that two U.S. Embassy officials were expelled for meeting with military officers and planning to destabilise the country.
Promising that troops will safeguard the sovereignty of the country, he said Chavez had died after 'battling a tough illness for nearly two years'.
He compared the situation to the death of the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, claiming Arafat was 'inoculated with an illness'.
Maduro is Chavez's self-anointed successor and has been taking on a larger role since the socialist leader urged Venezuelans to choose him as president before disappearing in early December to undergo a fourth round of cancer surgery in Cuba.
Announcement: The country's vice president Nicolas Maduro made the announcement on television tonight
Announcement: The country's vice president Nicolas Maduro made the announcement on television surrounded by other officials
Chemotherapy: Chavez in 2011, pointing at his head to prove his hair was growing back
Chemotherapy: Chavez in 2011, pointing at his head to prove his hair was growing back
Supporters gathered on the streets of the capital following the announcement, many in tears, brandishing effigies and national flags.
'I feel a sorrow so big I can't speak,' said Yamilina Barrios, a 39-year-old clerk who works in the Industry Ministry, her face covered in tears.  'He was the best this country had,' she said.
A group of masked, helmeted men on motorcycles, some brandishing revolvers attacked about 40 students after the announcement.
The students had been protesting for more than a week near the Supreme Court building to demand the government give more information about Chavez's health.

The attackers, who wore no clothing identifying any political allegiance, burned the students' tents and scattered their food just minutes after the death was announced.
Grief: Supporters of Chavez react after learning that the president has died
Grief: Supporters of Chavez react after learning that the president has died
Reaction: Supporters embrace outside the military hospital after learning of Chavez's death
Reaction: Supporters embrace outside the military hospital after learning of Chavez's death
Details of Chavez's health, who championed a leftist revival across Latin America, have been cloaked in mystery since he was first diagnosed with the disease in June 2011.
Communications Minister Ernesto Villegas earlier appeared on national television last night to announce that the president was suffering from 'a new, severe infection'.
The president had neither been seen nor heard from, except for a couple of hospital bed photos, since the surgery in Cuba for an unspecified cancer in the pelvic area.
The Government said he returned home on February 18 and had been confined to Caracas' military hospital since.
Villegas said that Chavez was 'standing by Christ and life conscious of the difficulties he faces'.
The president's death is expected to trigger a snap election in 30 days, backed by officials last night, though the opposition has argued that it should have been held after Chavez was unable to be sworn in on January 10.
Crowds: Supporters gather in Caracas after the announcement, waving the national flag and carrying a cutout of the President
Crowds: Supporters gather in Caracas after the announcement, waving the national flag and carrying a cutout of the President

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2288704/Hugo-Chavez-dead-Venezuelan-president-Hugo-Chavez-dies-severe-infection-battle-cancer.html#ixzz2MjarxNhP
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