Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez Dies, Vice President Maduro Says
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has died following a battle with cancer, Vice President Nicolas Maduro said today.
Chavez died at 4:25 p.m. Caracas time (3:55 p.m. New York time), Maduro said.
Chavez, who won re-election to a third six-year term in October after saying he was “totally free” of the disease, had not appeared in public since Dec. 10, when he flew to Cuba to undergo his fourth surgery since June 2011. Before leaving, the 58-year-old called on Venezuelans to vote for Maduro should he be unable to complete his term, which began on Jan. 10.
According to Venezuela’s constitution an election must be held within 30 days of the president’s death. It’s unclear whether Maduro or National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello will take over on an interim basis after the Supreme Court ruled in January that the ailing president could delay his swearing in for a new term.
Chavez returned to Caracas on Feb. 18 and went directly to a military hospital, the government said at the time.
To contact the reporters on this story: Charlie Devereux in Caracas at cdevereux3@bloomberg.net; Corina Pons in Caracas at crpons@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Andre Soliani at asoliani@bloomberg.net
Venezuela's Socialist Leader Hugo Chavez
Juan Barreto/AFP/Getty Images
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez salutes during a military parade to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his failed coup attempt, in Caracas on Feb. 4, 2012.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez salutes during a military parade to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his failed coup attempt, in Caracas on Feb. 4, 2012. Photographer: Juan Barreto/AFP/Getty Images
Chavez is Released From Prison in 1994
Bertrand Parres/AFP via Getty Images
Army Lieutenant Colonel Hugo Chavez speaks to reporters after being released from prison in Caracas, on March 26, 1994.
Army Lieutenant Colonel Hugo Chavez speaks to reporters after being released from prison in Caracas, on March 26, 1994. Photographer: Bertrand Parres/AFP via Getty Images
Chavez Speaks to Reporters Outside the White House in 1999
William Philpott/AFP/Getty Images
President-elect Hugo Chavez speaks with reporters outside the White House in Washington on Jan. 27, 1999.
President-elect Hugo Chavez speaks with reporters outside the White House in Washington on Jan. 27, 1999. Photographer: William Philpott/AFP/Getty Images
Chavez Speaks at an Event in Caracas in 2011
Juan Barreto/AFP/Getty Images
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez gestures during the welcoming ceremony for his Bolivian counterpart Evo Morales at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on September 17, 2011.
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez gestures during the welcoming ceremony for his Bolivian counterpart Evo Morales at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on September 17, 2011. Photographer: Juan Barreto/AFP/Getty Images
Chavez Meets With Fidel Castro in 2005
Juan Carlos Hernandez/Bloomberg
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, left, and Cuban President Fidel Castro, right, speak to reporters in Barcelona City, Venezuela, on June 28, 2005.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, left, and Cuban President Fidel Castro, right, speak to reporters in Barcelona City, Venezuela, on June 28, 2005. Photographer: Juan Carlos Hernandez/Bloomberg
Chavez Speaks at the United Nations in 2006
Stephen Chernin/Getty Images
Chavez addresses the UN General Assembly in 2006. He called U.S. President George W. Bush the devil and said the stage still smelled like sulfur a day after Bush spoke.
Chavez addresses the UN General Assembly in 2006. He called U.S. President George W. Bush the devil and said the stage still smelled like sulfur a day after Bush spoke. Photographer: Stephen Chernin/Getty Images
Chavez at The New York Stock Exchange in 1999
Henny Ray Abrams/AFP/Getty Images
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, right, and New York Stock Exchange Chairman Richard Grasso, center, wave to the gallery before the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on June 10, 1999.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, right, and New York Stock Exchange Chairman Richard Grasso, center, wave to the gallery before the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on June 10, 1999. Photographer: Henny Ray Abrams/AFP/Getty Images
Chavez and Daughter Rosa Virginia in 2012
Leo Ramirez/AFP/Getty Images
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez walks with his daughter Rosa Virginia as he departs for Cuba to receive medical treatment, in Caracas, on March 23, 2012.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez walks with his daughter Rosa Virginia as he departs for Cuba to receive medical treatment, in Caracas, on March 23, 2012. Photographer: Leo Ramirez/AFP/Getty Images
Chavez Waves To Supporters Following Oct. 2012 Re-election
Juan Barreto/AFP/GettyImages
President Hugo Chavez waves a Venezuelan flag while speaking to supporters after receiving news of his reelection in Caracas on October 7, 2012.
President Hugo Chavez waves a Venezuelan flag while speaking to supporters after receiving news of his reelection in Caracas on October 7, 2012. Photographer: Juan Barreto/AFP/GettyImages
Rate this Page
Bloomberg moderates all comments. Comments that are abusive or off-topic will not be posted to the site. Excessively long comments may be moderated as well. Bloomberg cannot facilitate requests to remove comments or explain individual moderation decisions.