Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dies of cancer
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has died at the age of 58 after losing his long battle with cancer.
The country’s vice president, Nicolas Maduro, announced the death in a national television broadcast.
He said Mr Chavez died at 4.25pm local time “after battling a tough illness for nearly two years”.
Mr Maduro also said the army and police had been deployed “to accompany and protect our people and guarantee the peace”.
President Barack Obama reaffirmed the US’ “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,” he added.
Mr Chavez, whose condition had been said to be deteriorating in recent days, had been undergoing cancer treatment in Cuba on and off since June 2011 – when he was first diagnosed with the illness.
The announcement came just hours after Mr Maduro announced the government had expelled two US diplomats from the country.
Mr Chavez with his daughters Rosa Virginia (R) and Maria in February
He said “we have no doubt” that Mr Chavez’s illness was induced by foul play by “the historical enemies of our homeland”.
The government announced late on Monday that Mr Chavez’s condition was “very delicate” due to a “new, severe” respiratory infection.
Mr Chavez had not been seen in public or heard since undergoing a fourth round of surgery in Cuba on December 11 in the pelvic area.
The government said he returned home on February 18, and had been confined to Caracas’ military hospital ever since.
During more than 14 years in office, Mr Chavez routinely challenged the status quo at home and internationally.
The fiery populist leader declared a socialist revolution in Venezuela, crusaded against US influence, championed a leftist revival across Latin America, and over time, gradually placed all state institutions under his personal control.
But the former army paratrooper commander, who rose to fame by launching a failed 1992 coup, never groomed a successor.
His death sets up a snap presidential election after his illness prevented him from taking the oath of office when he was re-elected last year.
The populist leader at a press conference iin Caracas in December 2006
Under the constitution, the head of Congress, Diosdado Cabello, would assume the interim presidency.
However, Mr Maduro is Mr Chavez’s self-anointed successor and has been holding the reins since the president’s health took a turn for the worse.
The man Mr Chavez defeated in October’s presidential elections, Miranda state Governor Henrique Capriles, is expected to represent the opposition in any new national polls.
He called for unity and offered his condolences to Mr Chavez’s family and supporters.
Venezuela’s defence minister pledged the military would remain loyal to the constitution in the wake of Mr Chavez’s death.
Admiral Diego Molero appeared on national television and appealed for “unity, tranquillity and understanding” among Venezuelans.
Sky’s Dominic Waghorn said Mr Chavez “used a mixture of brute force, persuasion, passion and charisma to keep himself in power”.
“Such was the adoration and devotion that mainly the poor in Venezuela felt for him that he was seen as this almost sort of religious figure, and his loss now leaves a huge void in Venezuelan politics.
“A lot of people say he is irreplaceable.”
And Associated Press reports that the self-described “subversive,” Chavez fashioned himself after the 19th Century independence leader Simon Bolivar and renamed his country the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
He called himself a “humble soldier” in a battle for socialism and against U.S. hegemony. He thrived on confrontation with Washington and his political opponents at home, and used those conflicts to rally his followers.
Almost the only adversary it seemed he couldn’t beat was cancer. He died Tuesday in Caracas at 4:25 local time after his prolonged illness. He was 58.
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119 Responses to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dies of cancer
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My Sincere condolences to a great man Chavez. Go and rest in peace. You fools this man was just like Michael Sata, he was a man of the people. there were some, just like here in Zambia who did not like him but the majority were with him, just like the majority in Zambia are with Sata weather you like it or not. Balamuyanda bantu Sata
Mwana wa Chuundu - March 7, 2013
09:55
uKWA MUST BE NEXT, MAPOLO ANAVIMBA KALE. BAMWENYE BALEPELA KULASA MAYELETI
Maiko Sata Mwintombela Kwipaya - March 6, 2013
22:18
Rest in peace President Chavez. It’s rare that one gets to see vibrant leaders who are able to stand up and condemn americas’ bullshit, you were a real role model.
Pa Bwato - March 6, 2013
18:20
Hugo Chavez was certainly sincere and passionate about social justice, but I don’t believe he choose the best way to achieve that goal. Historically, socialism has always been detrimental to the nations it was supposed to help. I also dont understand why Chavez hated America with such intensity. By the way, I noticed that countries whose leaders hate America are usually countries where atrocities are commited on a regular basis…
Shanna Carson - March 6, 2013
17:57
lets learn a lesson from death of hugo chavez that a sitting president is ill he should resign on health grounds and pave way for pipo choise to determine the leaders.but good lesson from is leadership he was pro poor politcian who has committed his life to solve the problems of the common man in society and hope our popular president sata will fight for the poor LONGLIVE SATA
rodrick - March 6, 2013
17:18
As for me I really do not want CNP-UKWA to die now but later in prison at The Hague for gross human rights violations during his two and half reign in Zambia! Viva CNP to die in prison,and continue praying that you at least live 103 yrs!
Joseph - March 6, 2013
17:11
IDIOT FULL l know you are UPND
rodrick - March 6, 2013
17:21
A fool you are and you don’t even know how to spell “fool”. Where has the blogger you are replying state s/he is UPND?
Czar - March 6, 2013
19:50
condolences death is a natural thing,we are all going to die.let peace be prevailed,death takes anyone(rich or poor,young or old etc).
wilkums - March 6, 2013
16:37
ZWD Tamwaleka ubupuba of not posting good articles? Mulekula. We are adults blogging here. Nonsence.
Kingo - March 6, 2013
14:27
Nonsense is failing to spell the word “nonsense”!
Czar - March 6, 2013
19:52
What Copperbelt you idiot. Muletusebanya. You must be in Lufwanyama dyole.
Kingo - March 6, 2013
14:25
He should have resigned when he announced his cancer diagnosis in Novemebr 2011. Surely, the country did not need a leader who was in hospital all the time. MHSRIP
So this goes to any other national leaders who may have terminal illnesses to resign, it does not help the country to have to die in office, iwe kapuli.
Odya Mphafa - March 6, 2013
14:18
deepest condolences to the people of Venezuela..!a lesson should be learnt…when someone is ill with some chronic disease please step aside..
mumbwe - March 6, 2013
13:15
My day is coming, says Given Lubinda
By Moses Kuwema
Tue 05 Mar. 2013, 14:00 CAT [2599 Reads, 0 Comment(s)]
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GIVEN Lubinda
GIVEN Lubinda says his day is coming.
Speaking when he graced the 79th Boys Brigade induction ceremony of the Reformed Church in Zambia in Chilenje on Sunday, Lubinda who has been slapped with a six-month suspension from the PF, shared with the congregation his experiences on the allegations that were levelled against him.
“Lelo nanvela kuti mu ma newspaper onse, ma radio onse, ma television onse bakamba zina imodzi I have heard that today one name is in all the newspapers, on radio and television. I praise God that my name is being mentioned.
My dear brother reverend Mbewe, I want to thank you for all those messages you were sending me and all of you. Thank you for the prayer. I have not come to the end of the journey. God will take me there. My day is coming,” said Lubinda as the audience applauded.
Lubinda said he did not lose hope when everybody was pointing fingers at him.
“I still did not lose the hope reverend, my faith; I still keep my faith. I want to thank you. In Psalm 8 verse 11, it strikes very well about how even his family ran away from him. When I feel very lonely, I know you are praying for me. Allow me to thank you most sincerely from the bottom of my heart. I have not said a word but praying to my God. Yesterday marked not 40 days in the wilderness, yesterday marked 82 days in the wilderness for me.
It had become a favourite pastime for my friends to go to the press to say ‘Lubinda this and that’. Then I said vapakisa anzanga it is too much my friends, I can’t manage. I cannot carry this cross on my back. He died on the cross for me, he shall carry this cross for me,” he said.
Lubinda said one day God would speak for him and tell everybody where he had gone wrong.
“God shall tell me why I have been accused. God shall tell me what offence I have committed. God shall tell me who I wronged. As for me, I always pray to my God and say to my God, ‘God forgive me of all my sins. If I did anything wrong to any person, God forgive me’, but I also pray to my God. ‘God forgive all those who are rising against me, give them love for them to serve You’. One day, my God shall speak for me.
“One day my God shall tell everybody where I went wrong and I pray to God that all those who have been pointing fingers at me… all those who were running away from me, all those who carried a mock coffin for me and walked in the streets and said, ‘he is dead and today we are going to bury him’, I hope they will be there that day when God answers for me. I hope God will allow me to serve until my last day on earth,” he said.
Lubinda urged the church members to love their neighbours and not bear false witness against others.
And Lubinda said the Boys Brigade was not only in church, and urged parents to help their children to achieve the objectives of the brigade.
He said Boys Brigade was the advancement of Christ’s kingdom among boys and the promotion of habits of obedience, discipline and self-respect.
The PF’s central committee resolved on Saturday to suspend Lubinda for six months after he was found guilty of allegations of treachery and disloyalty to the party.
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BRUNX - March 6, 2013
12:46
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nissan sunny - March 6, 2013
12:36
May his soul rest in PEACE, Bravo HUGO CHAVEZ
Calculas - March 6, 2013
11:56
sata is definately next in the line
pamafi - March 6, 2013
11:49
I can bet my last penny Sata is next.
The old skin bag has outlived his usefulness.
Anti-mal-administrativenisationism - March 6, 2013
16:40
pamafi your comment is very bad, let it be your last time to say such a thing.we still need this old man.condolences to the people of venezuela and may the good lord be with you in this trying moment.
mulenga - March 6, 2013
16:50
Rest in Peace Gallant Man! In deed the world and especially the developing world will surely miss your charismatict leadership!
Ben K - March 6, 2013
11:39
thats the way UKWA will die!!!
zedian - March 6, 2013
11:32
Surely l will miss him MHSRIP
coppala swagg - March 6, 2013
10:47
You set a good example to other World Leaders not to conceal their illnesses. Go well Cde Chavez!
Bishop Aringarosa - March 6, 2013
10:44
please your excellency Mr Micheal Chilufya Sata i beg you to declare at least five days of national mourning for this socialist hero. we need to salute Le Commandant for what he stood for. i await your urgent feedback.
conman - March 6, 2013
10:36
Chavez is gone the way of humanity. We’ll dearly miss him, his shortcomings notwithstanding.
GMT - March 6, 2013
10:31
You have gone too early Chavez, the world will miss you. Go well and in peace, for all shal return to the soil when their time comes,including those US ‘suspects’.
T.H - March 6, 2013
10:22
The wall is fallen. Socialism is the true loser.
Concord - March 6, 2013
10:04
Hugo Chavez did well to hold state institution to his hand because of the influence of US and other west forces. He stood by his own words and called a spade by its name. Called George W Bush a ‘ghost’ at UN summit and in 2009 he handed US President Barack Obama a book of how US interferes in Europe and South America. R.I.P
Slu - March 6, 2013
09:33
We have lost a Hero.I morn this deep loss.Rest In Peace Comrade Chiee
Gadaffie - March 6, 2013
09:22
WILL SADLY BE MISSED!!
Z.K - March 6, 2013
08:58
Death is d strongest power over all mortals. It’s no respecter of personalities. It comes to whom it wills & when it wils. No walls of stone or iron can man defend when it comes. No expertise, no intelligence can detect, forestall or fight it. Chavez, d greatest power has floored u 4eva & helpless u lie, never to rise again. May he(JESUS CHRIST) who conquered ds inconquerable power giv u eternal rest, amen. Laa nke oma! Laa n’udo!
Ngozichukwu Njoku - March 6, 2013
08:57
I hope that he was born again he was an adent follower of satanic ideology of communism like most dictators
voice mail - March 6, 2013
08:53
communism is the best and it is not satanic unlike this satanic capitalist-democracy we live in where elites are the only ones who enjoys our labor.
Greater Glory - March 6, 2013
09:03
What country in the world has enjoyed sustained peace and wealth under communism? I suspect you dropped out of school at Grade 3 before you were taught world history.
JMan - March 6, 2013
10:00
Watch your language and shallow understanding of ideologies!!! Democracy is a myth that has not worked for Africa except for a few elite who have taken advantage of it and benefitted from it. See how China is thriving under communism……
Mama - March 6, 2013
10:20
Hey Mama, you think China has communism? And you think it is thriving? The majority of China live is one room houses and suffer under abusive labor practices. They have a capitalistic economy now where the elite enjoy huge profits. Get informed before you have an opinion.
JMan - March 6, 2013
10:51
Communisim in China! Wow! Did you die in 1960 and woke up today? China is now a capitalist country my friend, wake up!
J J - March 6, 2013
10:54
Too bad for that loss only fools can be happy who always want others to die.May his soul rest in peace not in pieces.
Greater Glory - March 6, 2013
08:51
Sata wanted others to die and speculated a lot on their health. Sata was a very wrong man to assume Plot one and we made a grave mistake.
The violence and lack of respect to authority we are experiencing now can be traced to SATA
Mpangula Mputyu - March 6, 2013
09:25
Life means; a stretch of year to offer selfless service to human kind on this earth, and death being the only justice. Rest in peace.
Enock Roosevelt Tonga - March 6, 2013
08:34
You guy you dont know what you are talking about.You are the same people who always wish others to die.you are always in the state of war where you fight for your own satisfaction.
Greater Glory - March 6, 2013
08:58
You are at liberty to lecture me about what life means to you sir. Regards.
Enock Roosevelt Tonga - March 6, 2013
14:23
Time has for you to leave the world
Kabeer - March 6, 2013
08:31
Why are all the good people dying? Gadaffi, Sadam, now Hugo. All these had the interests of the their countries at heart…Only one man who has defended the interests of Africa is still around.
Boer - March 6, 2013
08:26
Ask a Zimbabwean if they want Mugabe to stay. I have not met one that wants to keep him or his philosophy.
JMan - March 6, 2013
10:01
raping the constitution so that you can stay in power in perpetuity. but death has come to the rescue of the venezuela
robin owens - March 6, 2013
08:17
Sata get ready! You are my next victim baba!
cancer - March 6, 2013
08:16
Lol
The Mason - March 6, 2013
08:23
if you want Sata to die fast,you will die first.
Greater Glory - March 6, 2013
08:47
I am waiting for someone to say this is a sacrifice for the big man to extend his life here in Zed
Kafwa Wabantu - March 6, 2013
08:13
You have just said it.
Howling Wofl - March 6, 2013
11:12
rked with a venezuelan some two years ago and he did not have much good words about Chavez.Personally,i wished Chavez had been like Lula Da Silva of Brazil.More than 14 years in power sounds a little ego-centric.Lula did two terms and left Brazil in very good economic shape.
ScottishMan - March 6, 2013
08:08
I met this man in Denmrk he is a hero.I personally miss him MHRIP
SHETANI - March 6, 2013
08:06
Too bad.RIP.
elephant - March 6, 2013
08:04
The pro poor guy has died. He had a passion for his country and showed the world that US prescribed democracy is not always the answer.
Ernesto che Guvera - March 6, 2013
07:53
The world is now worse off with this great son of the developing world gone. Under him, Venezuela’s resources were focused on making the citizens better in all sectors of their national life. Aluta Continua! Commandante, we shall miss you sincerely. May god keep you by his side as we struggle with poverty, ignorance, imperialism, tribalism, unemployment, corruption, and foreign inspired wars! Your voice will always be missed. MYSRIEP (May your Soul Rest In Eternal Peace).
mimba - March 6, 2013
07:50
WELL SAID , UNLIKE THE REST OF THE DREAMING TONGA IMBECILES JUST WISHING DEATH FOR OUR PRESIDENT.
donkey - March 6, 2013
09:22
NO WONDER YOU ARE AN ASS ? YOU CHAPS YOU WILL BE EARLIENATED IDIOT .YOU MONKEY SHEET.DO NOT BE TRIBAL SACKER. THIS IS THE SAME MISTAKE ZAMBIANS MADE BY ELECTION A SICK PREZIDWA.
wapya munzi - March 6, 2013
10:10
What makes you think its Tongas wishing Ukwa dead? I have met so many people with the same wish here in Copperbelt and none is Tonga. I am also wishing the Hyena dead and I am Ushi.
Howling Wofl - March 6, 2013
11:16
I am Tonga and I wish Sata dead as soon as possible.
anyaprawo - March 6, 2013
11:46
most tongas are mabolos surely wishing sata dead,i know cases of men dieing on top of women are common in tongas and i know that ur grandfather died on top of a woman.why cant you let sata ateke mabolo yeenu yende kumonze mabolo mabolo mabolo.
Hamutombe hachiputi habwaamba - March 6, 2013
14:46
Chavez died having collected 2 billion USD and keeping it for himself. He did not have the interests of his people at heart, but his own.
http://newsfromvenezuela.tumblr.com/post/867542155/analyst-estimates-chavezs-family-fortune-at-around-2
JMan - March 6, 2013
10:05