The Spanish government on Wednesday sent their condolences to Chavez's family, expressing Spain's wish to "continue working intensely in order to strengthen bilateral links."

Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said he believed Chavez's death will not have an adverse effect on relations between the two countries, which were "solid."

Speaking in an interview of Spanish national radio, Justice Minister Alberto Ruiz Gallardon said he hoped the transition of power would produce "a reasonable and non-violent transition" where there would be a "deepening of democracy."

The 58-year-old died after losing his battle against cancer on Tuesday, opening what could be a period of political turmoil in his homeland after 14 years in office.

Chavez had been a controversial figure in Spain ever since an incident in the 2007 Ibero-American summit which was held in Chile. The former Venezuelan leader interrupted a speech by the then Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in order to describe Zapatero's predecessor, Jose Maria Aznar as a "fascist" and to accuse Aznar of having plotted to have him overthrown.

This prompted King Juan Carlos of Spain, who was also attending the summit to lean forward and say "why don't you shut" up to Chavez, which provoked adverse attitude in many Latin American countries.

Chavez demanded an apology, which was never given and threatened to revise Spanish interests in his country, but by the time of his death, Venezuela was an important customer for the Spanish military industry, while the Spanish petrochemical giant, Repsol, also has a powerful presence in Venezuela along with the bank, BBVA.

In this way Spain's presence in Venezuela is unlikely to be affected by Chavez's death, although Spanish interests will be hoping for a smooth changeover of power. Endi

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