The executive vice president of Venezuela, Nicols Maduro, on Tuesday reported on national radio and television, from Caracas, President Hugo Chavez lost the battle for his life against cancer.
With tears in his eyes, Mature addressed Venezuelans from a Caracas military hospital, where Chavez passed his last two weeks after he came back from Cuba on Feb. 18.
"Commander, wherever you are, thank you for all you did for us, " he said, accompanied by some members of the executive cabinet and high command military officials.
Chavez has been in power for 14 years. He was re-elected to a third six-year term last October, but could not be sworn in as scheduled on Jan. 10 due to his serious health problems.
After seeking medical treatment for 70 days in Cuba, he returned home on Feb. 18. Since then, he has stayed in the military hospital Doctor Carlos Arvelo in Caracas.