Venezuela's Hugo Chavez dead from cancer
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Buy SPH photosCARACAS (REUTERS) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has died after a two-year battle with cancer, ending the socialist leader's 14-year rule of the South American country, Vice-President Nicolas Maduro said in a televised speech on Tuesday.
The flamboyant 58-year-old leader had undergone four operations in Cuba for a cancer that was first detected in his pelvic region in mid-2011.
His last surgery was on Dec 11 and he had not been seen in public since.
"It's a moment of deep pain," Mr Maduro, accompanied by senior ministers, said, his voice choking.
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In this Oct 9, 2012 photo, backdropped by a portrait of independence hero Simon Bolivar, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez talks during a press conference at the Miraflores palace in Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has died after a two-year battle with cancer, ending the socialist leader's 14-year rule of the South American country, Vice-President Nicolas Maduro said in a televised speech. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
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Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announces the death of President Hugo Chavez in this still image taken from video courtesy of VTV. Mr Chavez died after a two-year battle with cancer, ending the socialist leader's 14-year rule of the South American country. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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In this Aug 13, 2006 photo released by Cuba's Communist daily newspaper Granma, Cuba's leader Fidel Castro, right, and Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez hold hands as Mr Castro recuperates from surgery in Havana, Cuba. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Chavez has died. Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
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This files picture shows Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (right) embracing his Argentine counterpart Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner at the Miraflores presidential palace, in Caracas, on March 6, 2008. President Hugo Chavez passed away on March 5, 2013 in Caracas after a long fight with cancer, Venezuelan Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced. -- FILE PHOTO: AFP
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In this Dec 16, 2005 file photo, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, left, speaks to Brazil's President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva during a ceremony at the Suape Harbor Industrial Complex in the north-eastern city of Recife, Brazil. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
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In this Oct 28, 2010 file photo released by Argentina's Presidency, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, (left), kisses the hand of Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez during the wake of her husband, former Argentina's President Nestor Kirchner, at the government palace in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Kirchner died after suffering a heart attack. Behind, right, is Maximo Kirchner, son of Cristina and Nestor Kirchner. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
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In this April 18, 2009 file photo, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, right, hands President Barack Obama the book titled The Open Veins of Latin America by Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano at a Unasur countries meeting during the Summit of the Americas in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
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In this Feb 20, 2010 file photo, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez drives a truck as he waves to supporters during a rally commemorating the 151st anniversary of the Federal War in Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
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In this March 7, 2005 file photo, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez covers the ears of his grandson Manolito as they watch a display by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) aircrafts at the airport in Bangalore, India. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
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In this Oct 28, 2000 file photo, Cuba's President Fidel Castro, left, talks with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez in Barinas, Venezuela, near Mr Chavez's hometown of Sabaneta. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
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In this March 1971 photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Mr Hugo Chavez poses for a photo prior to his admission to the military academy in Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
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In this undated photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Mr Hugo Chavez is seen in a family photo in Barinas, Venezuela. Venezuela's Vice President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
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In this photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Hugo Chavez, top left, poses with fellow members of the failed coup as they serve time in Yare II jail near Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
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In this undated photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Hugo Chavez, right, sings folkloric Venezuelan music during an event at the military academy in Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
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In this undated photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Mr Hugo Chavez, centre, looks at the camera during a military exercise in Venezuela. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
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In this March 1972 photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Mr Hugo Chavez, bottom row, right, poses with his baseball teammates during the internal games at the Military Academy in Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
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In this undated photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Lieutenant Hugo Chavez poses for a photo at the Military Academy in Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
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In this July 5, 1975 photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Mr Hugo Chavez, centre, poses with his mother Elena Frias and father Hugo de los Reyes Chavez at his graduation from the military academy in Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
In this Oct 9, 2012 photo, backdropped by a portrait of independence hero Simon Bolivar, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez talks during a press conference at the Miraflores palace in Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has died after a two-year battle with cancer, ending the socialist leader's 14-year rule of the South American country, Vice-President Nicolas Maduro said in a televised speech. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announces the death of President Hugo Chavez in this still image taken from video courtesy of VTV. Mr Chavez died after a two-year battle with cancer, ending the socialist leader's 14-year rule of the South American country. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
In this Aug 13, 2006 photo released by Cuba's Communist daily newspaper Granma, Cuba's leader Fidel Castro, right, and Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez hold hands as Mr Castro recuperates from surgery in Havana, Cuba. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Chavez has died. Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
This files picture shows Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (right) embracing his Argentine counterpart Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner at the Miraflores presidential palace, in Caracas, on March 6, 2008. President Hugo Chavez passed away on March 5, 2013 in Caracas after a long fight with cancer, Venezuelan Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced. -- FILE PHOTO: AFP
In this Dec 16, 2005 file photo, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, left, speaks to Brazil's President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva during a ceremony at the Suape Harbor Industrial Complex in the north-eastern city of Recife, Brazil. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
In this Oct 28, 2010 file photo released by Argentina's Presidency, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, (left), kisses the hand of Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez during the wake of her husband, former Argentina's President Nestor Kirchner, at the government palace in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Kirchner died after suffering a heart attack. Behind, right, is Maximo Kirchner, son of Cristina and Nestor Kirchner. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
In this April 18, 2009 file photo, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, right, hands President Barack Obama the book titled The Open Veins of Latin America by Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano at a Unasur countries meeting during the Summit of the Americas in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
In this Feb 20, 2010 file photo, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez drives a truck as he waves to supporters during a rally commemorating the 151st anniversary of the Federal War in Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
In this March 7, 2005 file photo, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez covers the ears of his grandson Manolito as they watch a display by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) aircrafts at the airport in Bangalore, India. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
In this Oct 28, 2000 file photo, Cuba's President Fidel Castro, left, talks with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez in Barinas, Venezuela, near Mr Chavez's hometown of Sabaneta. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
In this March 1971 photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Mr Hugo Chavez poses for a photo prior to his admission to the military academy in Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
In this undated photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Mr Hugo Chavez is seen in a family photo in Barinas, Venezuela. Venezuela's Vice President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
In this photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Hugo Chavez, top left, poses with fellow members of the failed coup as they serve time in Yare II jail near Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
In this undated photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Hugo Chavez, right, sings folkloric Venezuelan music during an event at the military academy in Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
In this undated photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Mr Hugo Chavez, centre, looks at the camera during a military exercise in Venezuela. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
In this March 1972 photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Mr Hugo Chavez, bottom row, right, poses with his baseball teammates during the internal games at the Military Academy in Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
In this undated photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Lieutenant Hugo Chavez poses for a photo at the Military Academy in Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
In this July 5, 1975 photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Mr Hugo Chavez, centre, poses with his mother Elena Frias and father Hugo de los Reyes Chavez at his graduation from the military academy in Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 that Mr Chavez has died. Mr Chavez, 58, was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. -- FILE PHOTO: AP
