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Venezuela's Hugo Chavez dies aged 58 Venezuela's Hugo Chavez dies aged 58
(35 minutes later)
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has died, his vice-president has announced.Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has died, his vice-president has announced.
Mr Chavez had not appeared in public since he returned to Venezuela last month after cancer treatment in Cuba. Mr Chavez had been seriously ill with cancer for more than a year, undergoing several operations in Cuba, and had not been seen in public for several months.
An emotional Nicolas Maduro made the announcement on Tuesday evening, flanked by leading Venezuelan political and military leaders. Nicolas Maduro made the announcement on Tuesday evening, flanked by political and military leaders.
Earlier, he said the 58-year-old Venezuelan leader had a new, severe respiratory infection and had entered "his most difficult hours".Earlier, he said the 58-year-old Venezuelan leader had a new, severe respiratory infection and had entered "his most difficult hours".
He also announced the government had expelled two US diplomats from the country for spying on Venezuela's military.He also announced the government had expelled two US diplomats from the country for spying on Venezuela's military.
Military loyalMilitary loyal
In Tuesday evening's emotional address, Mr Maduro said Mr Chavez had died "after battling a tough illness for nearly two years".In Tuesday evening's emotional address, Mr Maduro said Mr Chavez had died "after battling a tough illness for nearly two years".
He said he had no doubt that Mr Chavez's cancer, first diagnosed in 2011, had been induced by foul play by Venezuela's enemies. The death of Hugo Chavez, the vanguard of what he called "21st Century Socialism", sends ripples not just through the Venezuelan people, but across Latin America and beyond.
Venezuelan radio reported that military had been deployed across the country. In particular, the impact of his loss will be felt most keenly in Cuba, Bolivia and Ecuador, his closest allies in the region.
A statement by the military said it would protect the sovereignty integrity and security of the country. It would remain loyal to the vice-president and to parliament, it added, urging people to remain calm. The updates on his health in recent days had seemingly been aimed at preparing the Venezuelan people for the worst, with each bulletin more serious than the last.
Now Mr Chavez will take on iconic status as his revolution looks for a route forward without him, the man it was designed by and constructed around.
But his millions of followers in Venezuela will take some comfort from the fact that it wasn't the failed coup in 2002, nor the repeated efforts at the ballot box, but rather ill health - or for many of his devotees, the hand of God - that took Chavez away from them.
"We have received the toughest and tragic information that... Comandante President Hugo Chavez died today at 4:25 pm," said Mr Maduro in a nationally televised address.
He spoke of a plot against Venezuela, saying he had no doubt that Mr Chavez's cancer, first diagnosed in 2011, had been induced by foul play by Venezuela's enemies - the US promptly rejected the accusations as "absurd".
He said a scientific commission could one day investigate whether Mr Chavez's illness was brought about by what he called an enemy attack.
Struggling to hold back tears, Mr Maduro called on the nation to close ranks after their leader's demise.
He said the government had deployed the armed forces and police nationwide "to accompany and protect our people and guarantee the peace."
A statement by the military said it would protect the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country. It would remain loyal to the vice-president and to parliament, it added, urging people to remain calm.
Under the constitution, the head of Venezuela's Congress, Diosdado Cabello, will assume the interim presidency before an election is held.Under the constitution, the head of Venezuela's Congress, Diosdado Cabello, will assume the interim presidency before an election is held.
Political shift
In Argentina, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner suspended all activities after the death was announced.In Argentina, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner suspended all activities after the death was announced.
Both she and her late husband, Nestor Kirchner, were close friends of the firebrand Venezuelan leader.Both she and her late husband, Nestor Kirchner, were close friends of the firebrand Venezuelan leader.
Cuba surgery In Peru, Congress held a minute of silence in his honour. Bolivia's President Evo Morales said he was leaving immediately for Caracas.
The governments of Chile and Ecuador also released official notes of condolence to Venezuela.
The Ecuadorian government said it felt the loss as its own, and hoped its neighbours could carry on Mr Chavez's revolution.
Analysts say Mr Chavez's death could alter the political balance in Latin America - dealing a blow to leftist states while favouring more centrist countries.
There could also be an economic impact given that Venezuela sells oil at below market prices to some neighbouring countries, especially in the Caribbean.
One of the most visible, vocal and controversial leaders in Latin America, Hugo Chavez won the presidency in 1998 and had most recently won another six-year presidential term in October 2012.One of the most visible, vocal and controversial leaders in Latin America, Hugo Chavez won the presidency in 1998 and had most recently won another six-year presidential term in October 2012.
His government has implemented a number of "missions" or social programmes, including education and health services for all. But poverty and unemployment are still widespread, despite the country's oil wealth.
Mr Chavez was renowned for his flamboyant public speaking style, which he has put to use in his weekly live TV programme, Alo Presidente (Hello President), in which he talked about his political ideas, interviews guests and sings and dances.
Last May, the former army paratrooper said he had recovered from an unspecified cancer, after undergoing surgery and chemotherapy in 2011 and a further operation in February 2012.Last May, the former army paratrooper said he had recovered from an unspecified cancer, after undergoing surgery and chemotherapy in 2011 and a further operation in February 2012.
However, in December 2012, he announced he needed further cancer surgery in Cuba, and named his Vice-President, Nicolas Maduro, as his preferred successor should the need arise. However, in December, he announced he needed further cancer surgery in Cuba, and named Mr Maduro as his preferred successor should the need arise.
Mr Chavez remained out of public view, finally returning to Venezuela in February.Mr Chavez remained out of public view, finally returning to Venezuela in February.
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