Hugo Chavez has died, early elections are scheduled in Venezuela

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez died in Caracas at the age of 59. The country's vice-president Nicolas Maduro announced this on national television: “We were in the hospital where the president is, and we received the most difficult news for our people. Our president Hugo Chavez has died.”

Photo: Reuters

As soon as news of Chavez's death became known, his supporters took to the streets of Venezuelan cities. “Many people cried, people looked at the sky and said words of gratitude,” reports The Telegraph .

At the same time, many were outraged by the secrecy surrounding Chavez's illness. Last weekend, a demonstration of students and opposition supporters took place in Caracas - they demanded to disclose information about the condition of the country's president.

Following the news of the president's death, Venezuelan authorities announced the timing of presidential elections. In accordance with the Venezuelan constitution, elections will be held within 30 days. This was announced by the country's Foreign Minister Elias Jaua. Vice President Nicolas Maduro will serve as interim head of Venezuela.

Photo: Reuters

Chavez's cancer was first discovered in June 2011. He was operated on in Cuba, then underwent several courses of radiotherapy in Havana.

He subsequently announced that he was completely cured and soon won the 2012 presidential election. The inauguration was scheduled to take place on January 10, 2013, but due to Chavez's deteriorating condition, it was indefinitely postponed.

In December, Chavez admitted that he had failed to overcome the disease. He again went to Cuba, where he continued treatment and returned from there in mid-February. At the same time, forecasts from oncologists appeared , who believed that “the tragic end would come in April.”

Vice President Maduro, commenting on the worsening condition of the Venezuelan leader, said that the cause of the illness was a conspiracy of enemies.