Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez passed away in a military hospital on Tuesday evening at the age of 58, country’s vice-president Nicolas Maduro announced.
Chavez, hailed as the symbol of Latin American socialism, had been battling with cancer for more than a year and had not been seen in public for several months.
”We have received the toughest and tragic information that… Comandante President Hugo Chavez died today at 4:25 pm,” said Mr Maduro in a television address.
On February 18, he made a surprise return to the country from Cuba after more than two months following a comprehensive cancer treatment. Since then has been treated in Carlos Arvelo military hospital in Caracas, the capital of oil-rich country.
Chavez had been the president of country from fourteen years. He was re-elected for another six-year term in October last year but his worsening health not allowed him to take the oath for his new term.
Beside a vocal critic of American policies, he was an outspoken leader. On several occasions he described former US president George W Bush as a “donkey” and “devil”.
Chavez’s disease was first diagnosed in July 2011. After that, he underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and two more operations.
Chavez’s death triggered the presidential election, which must be held within 30 days.
posted on 07 March at 10:27
I hear the official cause of death is heart attack.