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Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has died aged 58, after 14 years in power.
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.
Foreign Minister Elias Jose Jaua Milano declared seven days of mourning and said Mr Chavez's body would lie in state until his funeral on Friday.
Vice-President Nicolas Maduro would assume the presidency until an election was called within 30 days, he added.
"It is the mandate that Comandante President Hugo Chavez gave us," Mr Jaua told state television, adding that Mr Maduro would also be the candidate of the governing United Socialist Party (PSUV).
It was not immediately clear when the election would take place.
Mr Chavez's illness prevented him from taking the oath of office after he was re-elected for a third term in October and the President of the National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, had been expected by some to take over as interim president in the event of his death.
However, he was not among the political and military leaders who flanked the vice-president when he announced Mr Chavez's death.
Military loyal In Tuesday televised address, a tearful Mr Maduro said the president had passed away "after battling a tough illness for nearly two years".
"We have received the toughest and tragic information that... Comandante President Hugo Chavez died today at 4:25 pm," he added.
Earlier, he said the Venezuelan leader had a severe respiratory infection and had entered "his most difficult hours".
Continue reading the main story Analysis Will Grant BBC News, Central America correspondent 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.
In particular, the impact of his loss will be felt most keenly in Cuba, Bolivia and Ecuador, his closest allies in the region.
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 Mr Chavez away from them.
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".
Earlier, he said he had expelled two US diplomats from the country for spying on Venezuela's military.
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.
Mr Jaua said a procession would carry Mr Chavez's body to the Military Academy in Caracas on Wednesday, where it will lie in state until Friday to allow his supporters to pay their respects.
Mr Jaua added that the official funeral attended by foreign heads of state would take place at 10:00 local time (14:30 GMT) on Friday, and called on Mr Chavez's supporters to wear clothes in the three colours of the Venezuelan flag in his honour.
Political shift The US described the death as a "challenging time", reaffirming what it described as its support for the Venezuelan people and its interest in developing a constructive relationship with Caracas.
Continue reading the main story Timeline: Hugo Chavez
1954: Born 28 July in Sabaneta, Barinas state, the son of schoolteachers 1975: Graduated from Venezuelan Academy of Military Sciences 1977: Becomes involved in revolutionary movements within the armed forces 1981: Returns to the military academy as a teacher 1992: Leads doomed attempt to overthrow government of President Carlos Andres Perez, jailed for two years 1994: Relaunches his party as the Movement of the Fifth Republic 1999: Takes office after winning 1998 election 2002: Abortive coup. Returns to power after two days 2011: Reveals he is being treated for cancer 2012 (October): Re-elected for another six-year term 2012 (December): Has fourth cancer operation in Cuba 2013 (February): Returns to Venezuela to continue treatment Obituary: Hugo Chavez Praise for 'tough' BBC interviewer "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," said a statement from the White House.
Russia's permanent representative to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, said Mr Chavez had been a great politician, for his country, for Latin America and the world.
The government of Cuba declared three days of national mourning. In a statement read out on state television, it said Mr Chavez had "stood by Fidel [Castro] like a true son", referring to Cuba's former president, who stepped down in 2006 due to ill-health.
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.
In Peru, Congress held a minute of silence in his honour. Bolivia's President Evo Morales said he was leaving immediately for Caracas.
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.
UK Foreign Minister William Hague said he was "saddened" to learn of the death, saying Mr Chavez had left a "lasting impression" on Venezuela.
The UK Foreign Office issued a travel advisory warning visitors to Venezuela: "This is a sensitive moment for the country. You are strongly advised to avoid any public gatherings."
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 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.
However, in December, he announced he needed further cancer surgery in Cuba, and named Mr Maduro as his preferred successor should the need arise.
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Hugo Chavez was one of the greatest chief of state in the world and in Latin America.Hugo Chavez died to soon. I think his soul will go to Sirius or paradise because he was a good Christian who followed the teaching of Jesus Christ.
President Hugo Chavez goal was to improved the life of the poor and the middle class in Venezuela. In most of Venezuela history the governement was controled by the rich and worked for the rich. 60% of Venezuelan live in poverty in oil rich Venezuela before the election of Hugo Chavez. Hugo Chavez reduced poverty in Venezuela by 70%, he maked cheap food, cheap housing, cheap healthcare and cheap education were available to the poor.Hugo Chavez created a lot of jobs for Venezuelian. Hugo Chavez was also a great manager he repaid the Venezuelian debt to the IMF.
According to Democracy now on Link TV Hugo Chavez shared the wealth of Venezuela with poor Latin American and Carribean countries by selling them Gasoline at a 40% discount from the world oil market price. The generous contract to sell cheap oil to those countries is for 20 years, it will cost Venezuela $1 billion a year and $20 billion in 20 years.Hugo Chavez even sold cheap eating oil to poor senior citizen in the northeast USA. Compare Hugo Chavez generosity to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar monarchs who only used their oil money to support Madrasa, religious extremist and terrorist.
Hugo Chavez nationalise lands own by rich European living in Europe and didnt create plantation in those land. Chavez gave those lands to landless farmers and created appartment complex for the poor. Chavez also nationalise with compensation some Western oil businesses.
Hugo Chavez was a very courageous man who spoke against Western imperialism, neocolonialism, war mongering, injustice etc.Hugo Chavez was a brave chief of state who tell it like it is, he called evil leader evil, he denounced evil and cowardly act against innocent people. If Half of the world leaders were courageous like him the world would have been a better place because evil people work in the dark they dont want to be expose to light.
If you look at Western governement most of them give priority to the rich, the bank, corporation, special interest etc.The poor and middle class only get the crombs left over. Politician are whining all day long about tax cut for millionaires and billionaires. The good thing about President Hugo Chavez was is priority was the poor and middle class, the millionaire and Billionaires who could take care of themselve came last.
May President Hugo Chavez rest in peace, He live a great life.
Posts: 5374 | From: sepedat/sirius | Registered: Jul 2012
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"When we were children, we were told that we have a motherland, and that motherland was Spain. However, we have discovered later, in our lives, that as a matter of fact, we have several motherlands. And one of the greatest motherlands of all is no doubt, Africa. We love Africa. And every day we are much more aware of the roots we have in Africa.... Racism is very characteristic of imperialism. Racism is very characteristic of capitalism. Katrina is—indeed, has a lot to do with racism–no doubt about it. Hate against me has a lot to do with racism. Because of my big mouth, because of my curly hair. And I’m so proud to have this mouth and this hair, because it’s African." - Hugo Chávez
Chávez, an icon in Venezuela,” reads the March 5th edition of the Spanish language international publication La Prensa Libre following the announcement President Hugo Chávez succumbed after a lengthy, public battle with cancer.
The controversial leader of the Bolivarian Revolution, his staunch commitment to socialism and defiant rejection of capitalism earned him friends and foes throughout the Americas. A polarizing and complex figure portrayed as both Savior and Satan, history will regard him as both a democratically elected autocrat and revolutionary who played an instrumental role in the resurgence of the Latin American left.
While conflicting headlines fuel the discourse as to whether the Chávez legacy is that of one who constricted Venezuelan human rights or drastically reduced poverty, gains made in Afro Venezuelan communities through his radical socio-economic programs should not be overlooked.
As Venezuela’s first multiracial president, Hugo Chávez Frías broke the mold of wealthy European descended oligarchical by rising to power from the nation’s mixed race working class majority in 1999. Many regard Chávez as the first Latin American president to proudly embrace indigenous and African ancestry, thereby breaking the racist paradigm of power and imperialism in the region. In an interview with Democracy Now on September 20, 2005, he stated:
“When we were children, we were told that we have a motherland, and that motherland was Spain. However, we have discovered later, in our lives, that as a matter of fact, we have several motherlands. And one of the greatest motherlands of all is no doubt, Africa. We love Africa… And I’m so proud to have this mouth and this hair, because it’s African.”
Perhaps it was this pride that led President Chávez, El Comandante, to promote some of the most racially progressive programs in this hemisphere.
African descendants in Latin America comprise approximately 26 percent (150 million) of the total population, but represent nearly 50 percent of its poor. Whereas the region has made steady gains in the alleviation of poverty in Black communities through national and international programs such as the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, Venezuela has experienced a remarkable turnaround.
Prior to the Bolivarian movement, the status of Afro Venezuelans largely resembled others in the region that were subjected to historic racial and economic discrimination; the redistribution of oil revenues into social programs cut Venezuela’s poverty from 55% in 1995 to 26.4% in 2009. Halving the poverty rate has left an indelible impact Black communities who for the first time had regular access to free education, healthcare and guaranteed housing thanks to the implementation of Chávez’s Social Missions.
In addition to these reforms, President Chávez mandated a series of measures to counteract structural racism towards Black Venezuelans and decreed the National Council for the Development of Afro-Descendant Communities to advance the cause. On May 10, 2005 the nation commemorated its inaugural Afro Venezuelan Day (El Día de la AfroVenezolanidad), which honors Black revolutionary hero José Leonardo Chirino who led a revolt of Black and mulattos against colonial authorities in 1795. Concordantly, the government recognized May as national Afro descendant month and instituted the teaching of Afro Venezuelan history into its statewide curricula.
Furthering its commitment to ending racial disparities, the Chávez administration passed the Organic Law Against Racial Discrimination in 2011, which holds the power to establish “mechanisms to prevent, respond to, punish and eradicate racial discrimination by any person, group of persons, public authorities, and private institutions, and civil, economic, political, cultural, and social organizations.” And also in 2011, Venezuela changed its national census to reflect a question that would allow its citizens to identify themselves as Black for the first time.
As the result of numerous reforms, President Chávez held widespread and unwavering support amongst Afro Venezuelans whose votes led him to a decisive victory in his third and final electoral term.
Viewed as both victor and villain, Hugo Chávez's legacy in the recognition and preservation of Afro Venezuelan culture remains unparalleled
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