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Hugo Chavez coffin arrives at Caracas museum | Hugo Chavez coffin arrives at Caracas museum |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The body of Hugo Chavez has been laid to rest at a military museum in Venezuela's capital, Caracas. | |
Thousands of people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the hearse as it carried his coffin from the military academy where it laid in state for 10 days. | Thousands of people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the hearse as it carried his coffin from the military academy where it laid in state for 10 days. |
Many of his supporters were wearing red, the colour of Mr Chavez's political movement. | Many of his supporters were wearing red, the colour of Mr Chavez's political movement. |
Mr Chavez, who led Venezuela for 14 years, died of cancer last week. | Mr Chavez, who led Venezuela for 14 years, died of cancer last week. |
His coffin was received by a military guard of honour. | His coffin was received by a military guard of honour. |
Religious and political ceremonies were held at the military museum, attended by Mr Chavez's chosen successor Nicolas Maduro. | Religious and political ceremonies were held at the military museum, attended by Mr Chavez's chosen successor Nicolas Maduro. |
The BBC's Abraham Zamorano in Caracas says it is not yet clear what will happen to Mr Chavez's body in the longer term. | The BBC's Abraham Zamorano in Caracas says it is not yet clear what will happen to Mr Chavez's body in the longer term. |
Mr Maduro asked the National Assembly to reform the constitution to allow Mr Chavez's body to be buried in the National Pantheon, together with the most important leaders in Venezuela's history. | |
Mr Chavez, for his part, had said he wanted to be buried in his hometown in Barinas. | |
After Friday's ceremonies, the country's Information Minister, Ernesto Villegas, said the government had dropped plans to embalm Mr Chavez for permanent display. | |
He said the decision was made at the advice of Russian experts who said Mr Chavez's body had not been properly prepared. The embalming process would take seven to eight months. | |
Earlier in the day, political and military authorities joined Mr Chavez's relatives for a ceremony at the military academy where his remains lay in state for 10 days. | Earlier in the day, political and military authorities joined Mr Chavez's relatives for a ceremony at the military academy where his remains lay in state for 10 days. |
"Thanks, comandante, for giving us back our fatherland," said one of Mr Chavez's daughters, Maria Gabriela, in an emotional eulogy. | "Thanks, comandante, for giving us back our fatherland," said one of Mr Chavez's daughters, Maria Gabriela, in an emotional eulogy. |
"You have left us unexpectedly and have left an enormous vacuum in Venezuela," said one of Mr Chavez's former teachers at the military academy, Major General Jacinto Perez Arcay. | "You have left us unexpectedly and have left an enormous vacuum in Venezuela," said one of Mr Chavez's former teachers at the military academy, Major General Jacinto Perez Arcay. |
Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have visited the coffin of their former leader. | Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have visited the coffin of their former leader. |
Shortly after his death was announced on 5 March, the government declared seven days of mourning, which was later extended to 10 days. | Shortly after his death was announced on 5 March, the government declared seven days of mourning, which was later extended to 10 days. |