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Venezuelans Mourn President Hugo Chavez
BBC NEWS, LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
March 6, 2013: Venezuela has announced seven days of mourning for Hugo Chavez died aged 58 after 14 years as president. Hundreds of Mr Chavez's supporters took to the streets of Caracas to express their grief. Mr Chavez had been seriously ill with cancer for more than a year.
A self-proclaimed revolutionary, Hugo Chavez was a controversial figure in Venezuela and on the world stage. A staunch critic of the US, he inspired a left-wing revival across Latin America. His body will be taken in a procession to the Military Academy in Caracas where it will lie in state until a state funeral on Friday. All schools and universities have been shut for the week.
Vice-President Maduro will assume the presidency until an election is called within 30 days. Foreign Minister Elias Jaua told state television that Mr Maduro would also be the candidate of the governing United Socialist Party (PSUV).
Opposition leader Henrique Capriles, whom Mr Chavez defeated in October's election, called on the government to "act in strict accordance with its constitutional duties". Mr Capriles offered his condolences to Mr Chavez's family, saying "we were adversaries, but never enemies".
