View source for Unsolved:Death of Hugo Chávez

{{Short description|Death and state funeral of Hugo Chávez}}
{{Infobox historical event
|Event_Name    = Death and state funeral of Hugo Chávez
|Image_Name    = File:Hugo Chavez hearse.jpg
|Image_Caption = Hearse carrying Hugo Chávez's remains
|AKA           =
|Participants  =
|Location      = [[Place:Caracas|Caracas]], Venezuela
|Date          = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2013|3|5}}
|cause         = Cancer
|burial        = Cuartel de la Montaña (es)
}}
The death of Hugo Chávez, 45th President of Venezuela, was announced by government officials to have been on 5 March 2013 at 16:25 VET (20:55 UTC) in [[Place:Caracas|Caracas]], Venezuela from [[Medicine:Cancer|cancer]] at the age of 58. His death triggered a presidential election which was constitutionally required to be called within 30 days.

Chávez was first elected as president in 1998 and was re-elected in 2000, 2006 and finally in 2012. However, Chávez was unable to be sworn in for a fourth term after the 2012 election due to his illness.

==Illness and death==
[[File:Noveno encuentro presidencial Ecuador - Venezuela (5809138669).jpg|250px|thumbnail|right|Chávez walking with a cane accompanied by Rafael Correa in Caracas in July 2011, shortly after his first cancer surgery.]]
{{external media
| width  = 210px
| float  = right
| video1 = [https://www.wsj.com/video/venezuela-vp-announces-chavezs-death/F8567692-AE11-4513-B11A-82E8284C0398.html Venezuela's V.P. Announces Chavez's Death] on {{wipe|The Wall Street Journal}}
}}
Chávez was diagnosed with cancer following the discovery of a mass in his pelvic region in June 2011. He traveled to Havana, Cuba where he underwent a surgical operation to remove a malignant cancerous tissue mass 'about the size of a baseball' from his waist. He underwent a second surgical operation in Venezuela one month later. Over the next 12 months, he followed a cycle of chemotherapy. The type of cancer Chávez was diagnosed with was never made public, which fueled speculation over his condition (with speculations from being [[Medicine:Prostate cancer|prostate cancer]] to colon cancer among others). Following the presidential election in October 2012 (where he was re-elected to a fourth term), he went to Cuba for more treatment and then returned to Venezuela and stayed at a Caracas army hospital. According to two Venezuelan defectors, Chávez stayed at the hospital for a week, and died on 28 December. However, the government stated that Chávez was still alive and provided successive announcements of his return and updates of his health, which were criticised by the country's opposition as the population were unaware of the exact state of his health as well as his location. The fact that the cancer had metastasised was not made public during the re-election campaign, and strongly denied by Government officers. After the first lung infection (pneumonia) in the last stages of his life, Chávez was intubated nearing the end of December. His breathing worsened until his death was announced on 5 March 2013, almost two years after he was first diagnosed. The government stated that Chávez had died earlier that day.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}

Vice President Nicolás Maduro announced Chávez's death on a mandatory television ''cadena'' (a decree forcing all broadcasters to relay State television content).<ref name=dindon>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/03/05/venezuelan-president-hugo-chavez-dead-vp-says/|title=Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dead, VP says|publisher=Fox News Channel|date=5 March 2013|access-date=5 March 2013}}</ref> In an emotional eulogy Maduro said: "Let there be no weakness, no violence. Let there be no hate. In our hearts there should only be one feeling: Love."<ref name="bbc"/> Maduro indicated that Chávez had died "after battling a tough illness for nearly two years."<ref name=dindon/>  He added that police and troops would be deployed across the country "to guarantee the peace." The head of the presidential guard said Chávez died of a massive heart attack after great suffering and had inaudibly mouthed his desire to live. In an interview to the Associated Press, he said that Chávez could not speak but he said with his lips ... "I don't want to die. Please don't let me die".<ref>{{cite news|first=Fabiola|last=Sanchez|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/general-heart-attack-killed-suffering-chavez-18672150|title=General: Heart Attack Killed a Suffering Chavez|work=ABC News|date=7 March 2013|access-date=7 March 2013}}</ref> The BBC reported isolated incidents of violence following the announcement of Chávez's death. Although pro-Chávez supporters attacked and burned tents of students who had camped demanding more official information about Chávez's health, there were no reported injuries.<ref name="bbc"/> Vice President Maduro indicated he had "no doubt" of foul play by "the historical enemies of our fatherland" behind Chávez's illness and death.<ref name=dindon/> Defence Minister Diego Morelo Bellavia<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rnv.gov.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=946%3Apresident-chavez-appoints-diego-morelo-bellavia-as-defense-minister&Itemid=27 |title=President Chavez appoints Diego Morelo Bellavia as defense minister |publisher=Rnv.gov.ve |access-date=8 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204103329/http://www.rnv.gov.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=946%3Apresident-chavez-appoints-diego-morelo-bellavia-as-defense-minister&Itemid=27 |archive-date=4 February 2016  }}</ref> said that the "Bolivarian" armed forces would be loyal to the vice president and National Assembly and urged supporters and opposition to remain calm.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|author=Irene Caselli |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21682247 |title=Venezuelans mourn President Hugo Chavez |publisher=BBC |access-date=6 March 2013 |date=6 March 2013}}</ref>

== Early death rumours ==
After defecting from Venezuela, former bodyguard for Chávez, Leamsy Salazar, stated that he died in December 2012, nearly three months before the 5 March 2013 date was officially announced.<ref name="INFOBAEjan2015">{{cite news|url=http://www.infobae.com/2015/01/29/1623711-el-jefe-seguridad-chavez-declaro-que-el-caudillo-murio-dos-meses-antes-la-fecha-oficial|title=El jefe de Seguridad de Chávez declaró que el caudillo murió dos meses antes de la fecha oficial|date=29 January 2015|access-date=30 January 2015|agency=Infobae}}</ref>

In July 2018, former Attorney General Luisa Ortega Díaz also said that Chávez had actually died in December 2012 and the announcement of his death was delayed for political reasons. In an interview cited by Venezuelan daily ''El Nacional'', the former Chávez supporter said that the Venezuelan president died on 28 December 2012, but his closest allies decided to delay the announcement and never submitted the death certificate to the Office of the Attorney General.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.el-nacional.com/noticias/politica/luisa-ortega-diaz-revelo-que-diosdado-cabello-llamo-morir-chavez_243720|title=Diosdado Cabello a Luisa Ortega Díaz: "vente que Chávez se murió"|last=Web|first=El Nacional|date=12 July 2018|work=El Nacional|access-date=12 July 2018|language=es}}</ref>

The supposed delay in announcing Chávez's death raised concerns that laws signed in his name during that period were forged for political purposes.<ref name="INFOBAEjan2015" />

== Reactions ==

===Domestic===
[[File:Bandera media asta chavez cortejo funebre 06032013.JPG|thumb|right|Venezuelan flag at half-mast in mourning for the death of President Chávez]]
Thousands of people flooded the streets of the capital [[Place:Caracas|Caracas]]. Many cried and hugged in public shows of emotion. Women were weeping at Miraflores Palace. With a mixture of joy and sadness Chávez supporters shared their impressions after him a last farewell: "That man emanates a force forward and his face says my people.".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.noticias24.com/venezuela/noticia/154762/la-emocion-de-los-venezolanos-que-vieron-a-chavez-haremos-cumplir-la-constitucion-junto-a-maduro/|title=La emoción del pueblo que vio a Chávez: 'Haremos cumplir la Constitución junto a Maduro'|agency=Noticias24|date=7 March 2013|access-date=8 March 2013|archive-date=7 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307220428/http://www.noticias24.com/venezuela/noticia/154762/la-emocion-de-los-venezolanos-que-vieron-a-chavez-haremos-cumplir-la-constitucion-junto-a-maduro/|url-status=dead}}</ref> People left work for the day upon hearing the news, shops and offices shut and cars and buses filled the streets.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/03/05/3268804/venezuelans-pour-into-streets.html#morer|title=Venezuelans pour into streets to mourn Hugo Chavez|agency=Associated Press|work=The Miami Herald|date=5 March 2013|access-date=5 March 2013}}</ref>

Opposition leader and opponent in the 2012 election, Henrique Capriles, called on the government to "act in strict accordance with its constitutional duties." He also added his condolences to Chávez's family saying "we were adversaries, but never enemies".<ref name="bbc"/> Acting President Nicolás Maduro said he believed Chávez was assassinated by Venezuela's "historical enemies" (widely assumed to mean the United States), and that a "scientific commission" would investigate this possibility. The U.S. State Department denied any American involvement in Chávez's death, calling the claim "absurd".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/03/05/maduro-promises-to-investigate-chavez-assassination/ |title=Maduro promises to investigate Chavez 'assassination'|newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=8 March 2013}}</ref>

On the first anniversary of Chávez's death on 6 March 2014, tens of thousands of his supporters marched through cities across Venezuela. This was coupled with the 2014 Venezuelan protests featuring pro and anti-government demonstrations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2014/03/venezuela-chavistas-remember-late-leader-201435154623495164.html|title=Venezuela's Chavistas remember late leader}}</ref>

===Foreign===
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's office issued a statement expressing condolences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/un-secretary-general-ban-kimoon-hails-hugo-chavezs-work-for-poor/1083869/ |title=UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon hails Hugo Chavez's work for poor |work=The Indian Express |access-date=8 March 2013}}</ref>

Reactions within the Americas by citizens<!--as opposed to political figures--> occurred outside Venezuela's embassies in Honduras, El Salvador, Chile and Ecuador.

====Latin America and the Caribbean====
Secretary General of [[Organization:Organization of American States|Organization of American States]] José Miguel Insulza ordered the body's flags to be flown at half-mast and the convening of a special meeting of the Permanent Council in memory of Chávez.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-074/13 |title=Press Releases :: E-074/13 |date=August 2009 |publisher=OAS |access-date=8 March 2013}}</ref>

After announcing Hugo Chávez's death, Bolivian president Evo Morales broke down and cried on national television while paying tribute to Chávez;<ref>{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Orsi |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/03/05/3268596/chavez-death-echoes-with-leftists.html |title=Chavez death echoes with leftists worldwide |agency=Associated Press |work=The Miami Herald |date=5 March 2013 |access-date=5 March 2013}}</ref> Morales then decreed seven days of mourning in Bolivia after Chávez's death.<ref name=Guardian-SA-Leaders>{{cite news |last=Watts |first=Jonathan |title=Tributes to Hugo Chávez flow from South American leaders |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/06/tributes-hugo-chavez-south-american |access-date=6 March 2013 |date=6 March 2013 |work=The Guardian |location=Buenos Aires }}</ref> Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff, who had cancelled a scheduled trip to Argentina to meet President Kirchner, led a minute of silence in [[Engineering:Brasília|Brasília]].<ref name="lasegunda.com">{{cite news |title=Brasil decreta tres días de duelo nacional en por muerte de Chávez |url=http://www.lasegunda.com/noticias/internacional/2013/03/827727/brasil-decreta-tres-dias-de-duelo-nacional-en-por-muerte-de-chavez |access-date=6 March 2013 |newspaper=La Segunda |date=6 March 2013 |agency=Agencia EFE |location=BRASILIA |language=es}}</ref> Rousseff decreed three days of mourning.<ref name="lasegunda.com"/> Rousseff's predecessor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, also expressed grief.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/brazils-rousseff-says-chavezs-death-irreparable-loss/article9323390/|title=Brazil's Rousseff says Chavez's death 'irreparable loss'|agency=Agence France-Presse|work=The Globe and Mail|date=5 March 2013|access-date=5 March 2013|location=Toronto}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. politicians, world leaders react to the death of Hugo Chavez|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/03/05/u-s-politicians-world-leaders-react-to-the-death-of-hugo-chavez/|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> Salvadorian president Mauricio Funes and Chilean president Sebastián Piñera both praised Chávez's strong character,<ref name="Reuters"/> and the Chilean government declared three days of national mourning for Chávez.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.cooperativa.cl/noticias/mundo/venezuela/hugo-chavez/gobierno-de-chile-decreto-tres-dias-de-duelo-nacional-por-muerte-de-hugo-chavez/2013-03-06/101748.html |title=Gobierno de Chile decretó tres días de duelo nacional por muerte de Hugo Chávez |work=Radio Cooperativa |location=Santiago, Chile |date=6 March 2013 |language=es |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref>

The Cuban Council of State decreed two days of official mourning, from 6 am on 6 March to midnight on 7 March, and a third day of national mourning on 8 March.<ref name=Guardian-SA-Leaders/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.vtv.gob.ve/articulos/2013/03/05/cuba-declara-duelo-oficial-y-nacional-por-fallecimiento-del-presidente-chavez-6752.html|title=Cuba declara duelo oficial y nacional por fallecimiento del Presidente Chávez|access-date=6 March 2013|date=5 March 2013|agency=Venezolana de Televisión|location=Havana|language=es|quote=DECLARA EL CONSEJO DE ESTADO DUELO OFICIAL Y DUELO NACIONAL Con motivo del fallecimiento del compañero Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías, Presidente de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela, el Consejo de Estado de la República de Cuba ha decretado lo siguiente:  Primero: Declarar Duelo Oficial a partir de las 6:00  a.m. del día 6 de marzo, hasta las 12:00 de la noche del día 7 de marzo.  Segundo: Declarar Duelo Nacional el día 8 de marzo.  Mientras esté vigente el Duelo Oficial, la bandera nacional será izada a media asta en los edificios públicos y establecimientos militares.  Durante la vigencia del Duelo Nacional, quedan suspendidos todos los espectáculos públicos y actividades festivas.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022031428/http://www.vtv.gob.ve/articulos/2013/03/05/cuba-declara-duelo-oficial-y-nacional-por-fallecimiento-del-presidente-chavez-6752.html|archive-date=22 October 2013}}</ref><ref name=CNN/> The presidents of Dominican Republic, Haiti,<ref name=DOM-HAT>{{cite news |title=Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dies |publisher=Estrategia y Negocios |date=6 March 2013 |url=http://www.estrategiaynegocios.net/2013/03/06/republica-dominicana-y-haiti-decretan-duelo-por-muerte-de-chavez/ |agency=Agence France-Presse |language=es |access-date=6 March 2013 |quote=El presidente de Haití, Michel Martelly, decretó tres días de duelo nacional desde este miércoles tras la muerte de su colega venezolano Hugo Chávez, a quien calificó como "un hermano más que un amigo". "El presidente Hugo Chávez fue uno de los mayores partidarios que Haití haya tenido. Nunca perdió la oportunidad de recordar su amor por Haití. Era más que un amigo, un hermano", dijo Martelly desde el palacio presidencial, ante todo el gobierno y el embajador de Venezuela en Puerto Príncipe. |archive-date=8 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308030136/http://www.estrategiaynegocios.net/2013/03/06/republica-dominicana-y-haiti-decretan-duelo-por-muerte-de-chavez/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Uruguay and Ecuador all decreed three days of mourning for Chávez.<ref name=CNN>{{cite news |title=Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dies |publisher=CNN |date=6 March 2013 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/05/world/americas/venezuela-chavez-main/index.html |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref><ref name=Uruguay>{{cite news|title=Uruguay decreta tres días de duelo por la muerte del presidente venezolano|url=http://www.el-nacional.com/mundo/Uruguay-decreta-muerte-presidente-venezolano_0_148786298.html|work=El Nacional|date=6 March 2013|access-date=6 March 2013|publisher=Agencia EFE|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309035446/http://www.el-nacional.com/mundo/Uruguay-decreta-muerte-presidente-venezolano_0_148786298.html|archive-date=9 March 2013}}</ref>

Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega declared seven days of mourning.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gobierno de Nicaragua decreta siete días de Duelo Nacional por fallecimiento de Presidente Chávez|url=http://www.el19digital.com/index.php?option=com_content&id=50806|access-date=6 March 2013|date=6 March 2013|agency=El 19 Digital|language=es|quote=El Gobierno del Presidente Daniel Ortega y la Compañera Rosario Murillo, decretó siete días de Duelo Nacional por el fallecimiento en Caracas del líder bolivariano, Comandante Hugo Chávez Frías.}}</ref> Colombian president [[Biography:Juan Manuel Santos|Juan Manuel Santos]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://wsp.presidencia.gov.co/Prensa/2013/Marzo/Paginas/20130305_07.aspx|title='Lamento profundamente la muerte del Presidente Chávez': Presidente Santos|agency=Agence France-Presse|publisher=Presidencia Colombiana|date=5 March 2013|access-date=5 March 2013}}</ref> Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}<!-- WP:RS needed; removed link to WP:SPS (Twitter, FB, WP)--> lamented the death of Chávez; The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release expressing condolences and "our feeling of fraternity".<ref>{{cite news|title=EL GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO EXPRESA CONDOLENCIAS POR EL FALLECIMIENTO DEL PRESIDENTE CHÁVEZ |language=es |url=http://saladeprensa.sre.gob.mx/index.php/es/comunicados/2368-052 |access-date=6 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309104320/http://saladeprensa.sre.gob.mx/index.php/es/comunicados/2368-052 |archive-date= 9 March 2013  }}</ref> Colombia ordered its 15 consulates in Venezuela temporarily closed to observe the days of mourning. Guyanese president Donald Ramotar,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stabroeknews.com/2013/news/stories/03/06/chavez-was-great-friend-of-guyana-ramotar/ |title=Chavez was great friend of Guyana |date=6 March 2013 |publisher=Stabroek News |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> Guatemalan president Otto Pérez Molina,<ref name=Guatemala>{{cite news|title=Presidente Pérez Molina exalta figura política de gobernante Hugo Chávez |publisher=CGobierno de Guatemala |language=es |date=5 March 2013 |url=http://guatemala.gob.gt/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/item/3129-presidente-p%C3%A9rez-molina-exalta-figura-pol%C3%ADtica-de-gobernante-hugo-ch%C3%A1vez |access-date=6 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307200816/http://www.guatemala.gob.gt/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/item/3129-presidente-p%C3%A9rez-molina-exalta-figura-pol%C3%ADtica-de-gobernante-hugo-ch%C3%A1vez |archive-date= 7 March 2013  }}</ref> and the President of Suriname Desi Bouterse regretted losing a "friend". The Government of Suriname declared Friday a day of national mourning. Ramotar and Honduran president Porfirio Lobo praised Chávez for his contribution to regional integration; the National Congress of Honduras addressed a minute of silence.<ref>{{cite web |title=Honduras lamenta profundamente la muerte de Chávez |trans-title=Reaction to the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez |url=http://laprensa.hn/Secciones-Principales/Mundo/America-Latina/Honduras-lamenta-profundamente-la-muerte-de-Chavez |publisher=La Prensa |access-date=6 March 2013 |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309014440/http://www.laprensa.hn/Secciones-Principales/Mundo/America-Latina/Honduras-lamenta-profundamente-la-muerte-de-Chavez |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Trinidad and Tobago<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stabroeknews.com/2013/news/regional/03/06/tt-pm-chavez-broke-new-ground/ |title=T&T PM: Chavez broke new ground |date=5 March 2013 |publisher=Stabroek News |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> and Jamaica said that special arrangements would be made for an official tribute to Chávez.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stabroeknews.com/2013/news/regional/03/06/jamaica-parliament-pays-tribute-to-chavez/ |title=Jamaica Parliament pays tribute to Chavez |date=6 March 2013 |publisher=Stabroek News |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> Uruguay announced that President José Mujica was in Argentina for a summit when Chávez died, but that he would fly to Caracas with Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to attend the funeral.<ref name=Infonews/> Argentina declared three days of mourning<ref name=Infonews>{{cite news|title=Cristina llégo a Caracas y hay tres días de duelo|url=http://www.infonews.com/2013/03/05/politica-63924-cristina-llego-a-caracas-y-hay-tres-dias-de-duelo.php|access-date=6 March 2013|agency=Infonews|language=es}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Cristina Kirchner decretó tres días de duelo y viajará a Caracas|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1560407-cristina-kirchner-suspendio-un-acto-por-la-muerte-del-venezolano|newspaper=La Nación|language=es|access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> Suriname declared Friday a day of mourning.

====North America====
Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper offered his condolences;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=3&featureId=6&pageId=49&id=5341 |title=Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez Frías – Prime Minister of Canada |publisher=pm.gc.ca |access-date=6 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308142230/http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=3&featureId=6&pageId=49&id=5341 |archive-date= 8 March 2013  }}</ref> former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien eulogised in a televised interview.<ref name="Reuters">{{cite news|title=Reaction to the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-chavez-reaction-idUSBRE92502R20130306|work=Reuters|access-date=6 March 2013|date=6 March 2013|author=Carlos Garcia Rawlins}}</ref>

Suggestions of American foul play,<ref name="dindon"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Hugo Chávez, Venezuelan President, Dead at 58|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/hugo-chavez-dead-president-venezuela-58-died-cancer/story?id=16198379|work=ABC News|access-date=5 March 2013}}</ref> implying that Chávez had been poisoned or somehow infected with cancer (arguing a plot reminiscent to the [[Unsolved:Cause of Yasser Arafat's death#Theories about the cause of death|Yasser Arafat death controversy]] and the attempts against Fidel Castro),<ref>{{cite news |url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2013/03/05/venezuela-expels-us-diplomat-vice-president-claims-hugo-chavez-was-poisoned/ |title=Venezuela Expels 2 US Diplomats; Vice President Claims Hugo Chávez was Poisoned &#124; Fox News Latino |publisher=Fox News Channel |date=5 March 2013 |access-date=5 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307155424/http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2013/03/05/venezuela-expels-us-diplomat-vice-president-claims-hugo-chavez-was-poisoned/ |archive-date=7 March 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/263658 |title=Venezuelan VP: Chávez was Poisoned – Latest News Briefs |date=5 March 2013 |publisher=Arutz Sheva |access-date=5 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Cawthorne |first=Andrew |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-chavez-idUSBRE92405420130305 |title=Venezuela's Hugo Chávez dies from cancer |work=Reuters |date=5 March 2013|access-date=5 March 2013}}</ref> were vehemently denied by the U.S. Department of State as "absurd".<ref name="StateDeptDeath">{{cite news | url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1743752/US-rejects-Venezuelas-conspiracy-claims | title=S rejects Venezuela's conspiracy claims | date=5 March 2013 | agency=Agence France-Presse | access-date=5 March 2013 | archive-date=6 March 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306081308/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1743752/US-rejects-Venezuelas-conspiracy-claims | url-status=dead }}</ref>

In Miami, some Venezuelans{{how many|date=April 2019}} joyfully celebrated Chávez's death, and were cautiously optimistic of new elections for Chávez's successor; an estimated 189,219 Venezuelans live in the United States, most of whom are anti-Chávez.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chavez Death: Venezuelans in U.S. Hopeful of Change |author=Christine Armario |author2=Gillian Flaccus |author3=Claudia Torrens |author4=Steve LeBlanc |url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CHAVEZ_VENEZUELANS_IN_AMERICA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-03-06-05-37-20 |agency=Associated Press |date=6 March 2013 |access-date=12 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309014220/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CHAVEZ_VENEZUELANS_IN_AMERICA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-03-06-05-37-20 |archive-date= 9 March 2013  }}<br />{{cite news|title=After Hugo Chavez's Death, Venezuelan Expatriates Ponder a Return to Homeland |author=Vanessa Rodriguez |url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2013/03/08/after-hugo-chavez-death-venezuelan-expatriates-ponder-return-to-homeland/ |publisher=Fox News Channel |date=8 March 2013 |access-date=12 March 2013 }}<br />{{cite news|title=U.S. reaction to Chavez's death: from mourning to celebration |author=Tom Watkins |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/05/us/venezuela-us-react |publisher=CNN |date=6 March 2013 |access-date=12 March 2013 }}<br />{{cite AV media|year=2013 |title=Venezuelans celebrate Hugo Chavez's death in South Florida |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQiFyq-e1Xk |access-date=12 March 2013 |work=The Miami Herald }}<br />{{cite news|title=Venezuelans in Miami React To Chavez's Death |url=https://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/video/venezuelans-miami-react-chavezs-death-18662446 |work=ABC News |date=5 March 2013 |access-date=11 March 2013 }}</ref> United States President [[Biography:Barack Obama|Barack Obama]] reaffirmed the support of the U.S. for the Venezuelan people and its interest in developing a constructive relationship with the Venezuelan government.<ref name="Reuters"/> Former president [[Biography:Jimmy Carter|Jimmy Carter]] complimented Chávez's commitment to improving the lives of Venezuelans. According to a statement posted at the [[Organization:Carter Center|Carter Center]] website, Carter and his wife Rosalynn "came to know a man who expressed a vision to bring profound changes to his country to benefit especially those people who had felt neglected and marginalized."<ref>{{cite web|title=Carter statement lauds Chavez|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/mar/5/carter-statement-lauds-chavez/|work=The Washington Times|access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref>

====Africa====
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who chairs the African Union Commission, conveyed her condolence to the family, government and people of Venezuela.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.au.int/en/content/message-condolence-passing-president-hugo-chavez-frias |title=Message of Condolence on the passing of President Hugo Chavez Frias |date=6 March 2013 |publisher=African Union |access-date=11 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022095035/http://www.au.int/en/content/message-condolence-passing-president-hugo-chavez-frias |archive-date=22 October 2013  }}</ref> The organisation observed a minute of silence at the A.U. headquarters on 8 March during the celebration of the International Women's Day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.au.int/en/content/african-union-commission-observes-minutes-silence-late-president-hugo-chavez-venezuela-cel-2 |title=African Union Commission Observes Minutes of Silence for late President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela at celebration of International Women's Day |date=8 March 2013 |publisher=African Union |access-date=11 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731125300/http://au.int/en/content/african-union-commission-observes-minutes-silence-late-president-hugo-chavez-venezuela-cel-2 |archive-date=31 July 2013  }}</ref>

Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Gambian president Yahya Jammeh,<ref name=observergm/> Mauritanian president Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz,<ref>[http://www.afriquejet.com/201303083284/Venezuela-Mauritanian-president-consoles-Venezuela-on-Hugo-Chavez.html Venezuela: Mauritanian president consoles Venezuela on Hugo Chavez]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. '' Actualité Economie Finances Sports''. 8 March 2013.</ref> Sahrawi Republic president Mohamed Abdelaziz,<ref>{{cite web|title=President of Republic expresses his 'sincere condolences' to the Vice President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro following the death of Hugo Chavez |url=http://www.spsrasd.info/en/content/president-republic-expresses-his-sincere-condolences-vice-president-venezuela-nicolas-maduro |publisher=SPS |date=6 March 2013 |access-date=8 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022061223/http://www.spsrasd.info/en/content/president-republic-expresses-his-sincere-condolences-vice-president-venezuela-nicolas-maduro |archive-date=22 October 2013  }}</ref> South African president Jacob Zuma,<ref name = "SA Reaction">{{cite web|author=Sapa |url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2013/03/06/zuma-sends-condolences-to-venezuela |title=Zuma sends condolences to Venezuela |publisher=Times LIVE |date=2 February 1999 |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir,<ref>{{cite news|title=Hugo Chavez: Global reaction|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21678114|work=BBC News|date=6 March 2013}}</ref> Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/15277-kikwete-mourns-chavez |title=Kikwete mourns Chavez |date=7 March 2013 |work=Daily News |access-date=10 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022035555/http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/15277-kikwete-mourns-chavez |archive-date=22 October 2013  }}</ref> all expressed their sorrow and offered their "deepest condolences". Gambia's president Yahya Jammeh proclaimed two national prayer days at mosques and churches for Chávez, on 8 and 10 March 2013.<ref name=observergm>[http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/gambia-sends-condolence-to-venezuela-on-chavezs-demise Gambia sends condolence to Venezuela on Chavez's demise] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022032729/http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/gambia-sends-condolence-to-venezuela-on-chavezs-demise |date=22 October 2013 }}. ''The Daily Observer'', 7 March 2013</ref> The Sahrawi government declared a day of national mourning.<ref name="MinisterSPS">{{cite web|title=Minister for Latin America represents President of Republic in Chávez funeral |url=http://www.spsrasd.info/en/content/minister-latin-america-represents-president-republic-ch%C3%A1vez-funeral |publisher=SPS |date=8 March 2013 |access-date=11 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213155031/http://www.spsrasd.info/en/content/minister-latin-america-represents-president-republic-ch%C3%A1vez-funeral |archive-date=13 December 2013  }}</ref>

====Asia====
Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://president.gov.af/en/news/18083 |title=President Karzai Calls Hugo Chavez death a great loss – Office of the President |publisher=President.gov.af |date=6 March 2013 |access-date=15 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022055800/http://president.gov.af/en/news/18083 |archive-date=22 October 2013  }}</ref> President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/148807/ |title=Armenian President offers condolences on Hugo Chávez death |publisher=PanArmenian.net |date=6 March 2013 |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> Azerbaijani president [[Biography:Ilham Aliyev|Ilham Aliyev]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.president.az/articles/7527|title=Venesuela Bolivar Respublikasının Vitse-prezidenti Zati-aliləri cənab Nikolas Maduro Morosa  |publisher=president.az |language=az |date=6 March 2013 |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> Chinese president Hu Jintao and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party [[Biography:Xi Jinping|Xi Jinping]], deputy director-general of the Taiwanese Foreign Ministry Calvin Ho,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aALL&ID=201303060019 |title=Taiwan mourns death of Venezuela's president |publisher=focustaiwan.tw |date=6 March 2013 |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> and Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh issued statements of "heartfelt condolences".<ref>{{cite web |title=Manmohan Singh condoles death of Hugo Chavez |work=Daily News and Analysis |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_manmohan-singh-condoles-death-of-hugo-chavez_1807932 |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref>

Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas,<ref name="Haaretz"/> Turkmenistan president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://turkmenistan.gov.tm/_eng/?id=1967 |title=President of Turkmenistan expresses his condolences over the death of President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez |publisher=Turkmenistan.gov.tm |access-date=8 March 2013}}</ref> as well as Vietnamese leaders – including Party general secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng, Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng, and National Assembly chairman Nguyễn Sinh Hùng – also expressed condolences; some lauded Chávez's achievements.<ref>{{cite web|title=Việt Nam chia buồn với Venezuela|url=http://tuoitre.vn/Chinh-tri-Xa-hoi/536834/viet-nam-chia-buon-voi-venezuela.html|work=Tuổi Trẻ|date=6 March 2013 |access-date=7 March 2013}}</ref> Memorial services were scheduled to be held in Ramallah and other cities in the West Bank and senior Palestinian officials paid their respects at the Venezuelan Embassy in Ramallah.<ref name="Haaretz">{{cite news|title=Palestinians grieve over death of Venezuela's Hugo Chavez|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/palestinians-grieve-over-death-of-venezuela-s-hugo-chavez.premium-1.507719|work=Haaretz|first=Jack
|last=Khoury|date=6 March 2013}}</ref> In Gaza City streets were decorated with Venezuelan flags and posters of Chávez.<ref name="Akhbar">[http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/thousands-palestinians-pay-tribute-chavez Thousands of Palestinians pay tribute to Chavez] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311070428/http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/thousands-palestinians-pay-tribute-chavez |date=11 March 2013 }}. ''Al Akhbar''. Originally published by Agence France-Presse. 7 March 2013.</ref> Hamas, the ''de facto'' government of the Gaza Strip, lauded Chávez as a "great leader";<ref name="Akhbar"/> The Syrian Arab News Agency paid homage to Chávez for taking "an honourable stance regarding the conspiracy against Syria".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20130306-damascus-hails-honourable-chavez-stance-conflict |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411001306/http://www.france24.com/en/20130306-damascus-hails-honourable-chavez-stance-conflict |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 April 2013 |title=Damascus hails 'honourable' Chavez stance on conflict |publisher=FRANCE 24 |date=6 March 2013 |access-date=6 March 2013 }}</ref> Iran declared a day of national mourning.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-chavez-iran-idUSBRE9250CQ20130306|title=Iran declares day of mourning for anti-US ally Chavez|work=Reuters|date=6 March 2013|access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref>

====Europe====
French president François Hollande<ref>[http://www.liberation.fr/politiques/2013/03/06/hollande-chavez-a-profondement-marque-l-histoire-de-son-pays_886580 "Hollande: Chavez a «profondément marqué l'histoire de son pays»"], ''Libération'', 6 March 2013</ref> and British foreign secretary William Hague were "saddened".<ref name="Reuters"/> Irish president Michael D. Higgins sent condolences,<ref name="eire">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politicians-pay-tribute-to-chavez-29111743.html|title=Politicians pay tribute to Chavez |work=Irish Independent |access-date=6 March 2013|date=6 March 2013}}</ref> [[Social:Sinn Féin|Sinn Féin]] leader Gerry Adams also paid tribute.<ref name="eire"/> Italian president Giorgio Napolitano was "painful".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.primapaginanews.it/dettaglio_articolo.asp?id=149027&ctg=3 |title=Prima Pagina News – Morte Chavez, messaggio di cordoglio di Napolitano |publisher=Primapaginanews.it |access-date=8 March 2013}}</ref> The Spanish government extended its condolences,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.maec.es/es/MenuPpal/Actualidad/Comunicados/Paginas/038comunicado20130306.aspx |title=038-2013. FALLECIMIENTO DE HUGO CHÁVEZ |publisher=Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación de España |language=es |date=6 March 2013 |access-date=6 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311131754/http://www.maec.es/es/MenuPpal/Actualidad/Comunicados/Paginas/038comunicado20130306.aspx |archive-date=11 March 2013  }}</ref> as did Portuguese president Aníbal Cavaco Silva sent condolences,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presidencia.pt/?idc=18&idi=71598 |title=Presidente da República enviou condolências (President of the Republic expressed condolences in letter |publisher=Presidencia.pt |access-date=8 March 2013}}</ref> whilst Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt stated that Chávez "undeniably affected his country and the entire region" and hoped for greater democracy and respect for human rights in Venezuela;<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news |url=http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/reinfeldt-hoppas-pa-forandring_7970216.svd |title=Reinfeldt hoppas på förändring |work=Svenska Dagbladet |language=sv |date=7 March 2013 |access-date=8 March 2013}}</ref> Foreign minister Carl Bildt criticized his policies,{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}<!-- WP:RS needed; removed link to WP:SPS (Twitter, FB, WP)--> saying that Chávez had "plunder[ed] the oil wealth of [his] country".<ref name="autogenerated1"/>

President of Russia Vladimir Putin and prime minister Dmitry Medvedev expressed their "sincere condolences".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_03_06/Putin-convinced-that-Russia-Venezuela-should-continue-developing-strengthening-relations/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130417183753/http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_03_06/Putin-convinced-that-Russia-Venezuela-should-continue-developing-strengthening-relations/|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 April 2013|title=Putin sends condolences to Venezuelan people over Chavez's death|publisher=The Voice of Russia|date=6 March 2013|access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_03_06/Medvedev-sends-condolences-to-Venezuela-over-Chavezs-death/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130417122612/http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_03_06/Medvedev-sends-condolences-to-Venezuela-over-Chavezs-death/|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 April 2013|title=Medvedev sends condolences to Venezuela over Chavez's death|publisher=The Voice of Russia|date=6 March 2013|access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> Russia would send a delegation consisting of Rosneft president Igor Sechin, Trade and Industry minister Denis Manturov, Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov, Federation Council speaker Valentina Matviyenko and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_03_06/Sechin-Manturov-Chemezov-to-represent-Russia-at-Chavezs-funeral/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130417183113/http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_03_06/Sechin-Manturov-Chemezov-to-represent-Russia-at-Chavezs-funeral/|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 April 2013|title=Sechin, Manturov, Chemezov to represent Russia at Chavez's funeral|publisher=The Voice of Russia|date=6 March 2013|access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> Serbian president Tomislav Nikolić and prime minister Ivica Dačić sent condolences and lamented the loss of "a friend". Serbian cabinet also announced that he had been posthumously honoured with the Order of the Republic of Serbia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2013&mm=03&dd=06&nav_id=85018 |title=Info – Serbia honors Chavez with state decoration |publisher=B92 |access-date=8 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022042309/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2013&mm=03&dd=06&nav_id=85018 |archive-date=22 October 2013  }}</ref> Belarus declared three days of mourning<ref>{{cite news|title=Isolated Belarus mourns death of "brother" Chavez|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-chavez-belarus-idUSBRE9250YJ20130306|access-date=6 March 2013|date=6 March 2013|work=Reuters|location=MINSK|first=Andrei|last=Makhovsky}}</ref>

In the Vatican, a condolence letter was read during a meeting of Cardinals prior to the Papal Conclave, during the ''sede vacante''.

In the European Union, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said that they had received the news of Chávez's death with "sadness."<ref>{{cite news |title=Reactions to Death: Chávez Showed 'Will to Fight for Justice' |work=Der Spiegel |date=6 March 2013 |url= http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/mixed-reactions-to-death-of-venezuelan-president-hugo-chavez-a-887211.html |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref>

====Oceania====
Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/carr-extends-condolences-to-venezuela/story-e6freono-1226591862360 |title=Carr extends condolences to Venezuela  |publisher=couriermail.com.au |date=6 March 2013 |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key expressed condolences "to the Chávez family and the people of Venezuela".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8393017/Chavezs-death-delays-Key-trade-talks|title=Chavez's death delays Key trade talks
|author=ANDREA VANCE|location=BOGOTA|date=7 March 2013|publisher=Stuff.co.nz}}</ref> However, Key, who was on a diplomatic trip to Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Brazil, did not attend the funeral although meetings had been postponed due to Latin American leaders attending, and was criticized by ex-Greens MP Keith Locke, Toby Manhire and others.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10869811 | title=Political round-up: John Key's snub of Venezuela | work=The New Zealand Herald | date=7 March 2013 | access-date=1 December 2015 | author=Edwards, Bryce}}</ref>

==Funeral==
[[File:Multitud chavez cortejo funebre 06032013.JPG|250px|thumb|right|Chávez's funeral procession]]
Foreign minister Elías Jaua decreed seven days of mourning for Chávez.<ref>{{cite news|title=Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dies|url=http://www.breakingnews.com/topic/venezuelan-president-hugo-chavez-dies|work=breaking news|date=5 March 2013|access-date=5 March 2013}}</ref> Chávez's body was taken to the Military Academy in Caracas on 6 March 2013, accompanied by large numbers of supporters who joined the procession at the military parade grounds (the Heroes Avenue) and was left lying in state for the public to visit for three days. The state funeral was held in Caracas on 8 March 2013.<ref name=dindon/><ref>{{cite news|first=Frank|last=Bajak|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/venezuelas-hugo-chavez-died-18659546|title=Hugo Chavez, Fiery Venezuelan Leader, Dies at 58|work=ABC News|date=5 March 2013|access-date=5 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Chris|last=Kraul|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-chavez-dies-20130305,0,7894283.story|title=Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez dead after struggle with cancer|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=5 March 2013|access-date=5 March 2013}}</ref> Acting President Nicolás Maduro originally stated that Chávez's body would be embalmed and permanently displayed after the state funeral in a transparent sarcophagus at a military museum in the former site of the Military Academy in La Planicie Barracks at the 23 de Enero district west of the city proper.<ref>{{cite web|title=Maduro: Chavez body to be permanently displayed|url=http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/07/17226935-maduro-chavez-body-to-be-permanently-displayed?lite|work=NBC News|access-date=8 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Hugo Chávez's body to be embalmed and displayed 'eternally'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/07/hugo-chavez-funeral-disputed-burial|work=The Guardian|access-date=8 March 2013|location=London|first1=Rory|last1=Carroll|first2=Virginia|last2=Lopez|date=7 March 2013}}</ref> However, due to difficulties in finding an expert and the uncertainties of plastination in which the weather plays a substantial part, Maduro announced that the body would not be embalmed in time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Venezuela says embalming of Chavez' body 'unlikely'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21780374|work=BBC News|access-date=16 March 2013|date=13 March 2013}}</ref>
President Maduro extended national mourning from 4 to 11 days to coincide with the transportation of the body to the military museum (now Museum of the Revolution) at La Planicie Barracks, which was renamed Mountain Barracks as it was, not by accident, the place which Chávez captured and used as a command centre in the brief coup of 1992, and where he uttered his famous words "''Por ahora''" (For now) to the press.

For the final arrangements a funeral service was arranged, with the casket leaving the Military Academy grounds in Fort Tiuna on 17 March 2013 under full military honours including references to Ltn. Cnl. Chávez's home battalion (the Apure Braves 414th Armored Battalion) with the marching song "Patria Querida" (Fatherland Beloved) played in slow time, a 21-gun salute, and a Military Aviation (formerly Venezuelan Air Force) flyover by [[Engineering:Sukhoi Su-30|Sukhoi Su-30]] fighters in a missing man formation. Government party militias in their light motorcycles followed the motorcade (itself surrounded by Army mounted guards) with a large following of (mostly poor) citizens, with final arrival honors paid upon arrival at the Mountain Barracks.{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}} Bolivian President Evo Morales, President Maduro (then interim) and Chávez's brother Adan and daughter Maria Gabiela each gave speeches before the flag folding and dedication ceremony. The national flag covering the casket was handed to Elena Frías de Chávez, the late President's mother, on behalf of the armed forces and the nation.

===Foreign dignitary attendees===

The funeral was attended by 23 heads of state, 10 heads of government, a Crown Prince, 2 first ladies, 23 governmental representatives, 5 multilateral leaders, 4 foreign ministers and 4 former presidents. In total, 50 countries were represented at the event.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;"
|- align=center
| colspan="3" | '''Heads of state and government'''
|-
| {{Flagu|Antigua and Barbuda}} || Prime Minister || Baldwin Spencer<ref name="guardian.co.uk">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/blog/2013/mar/08/hugo-ch-vez-funeral-live-coverage |title=Hugo Chavez Funeral – Live Coverage |work=The Guardian |access-date=8 March 2013 |location=London |first=Paul |last=Owen |date=8 March 2013}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagu|Argentina}} || President || Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
|-
| {{Flagu|Aruba}} || Prime Minister || Michiel Godfried Eman<ref>{{cite web|url=http://politiek.thepostonline.nl/2013/03/07/hans-van-den-broek-naar-begrafenis-chavez/ |title=Hans van den Broek naar begrafenis Chávez &#124; ThePostOnline |publisher=Politiek.thepostonline.nl |date=24 January 2013 |access-date=15 March 2013}}</ref>
|-
| {{Flagu|Belarus}} || President || Alexander Lukashenko<ref>{{cite web |title=Ahmadinejad, Lukashenko Head for 'Brother' Chavez's Funeral |agency=RIA Novosti |date=7 March 2013 |url=http://en.ria.ru/world/20130307/179873121.html }}</ref>
|-
| {{Flagu|Bolivia}} || President || Evo Morales<ref name="havanatimes.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=89142 |title=All Set For Chavez's Funeral - Cuba's Havana Times.org |publisher=Havanatimes.org |date=8 March 2013 |access-date=15 March 2013}}</ref>
|-
| {{Flagu|Brazil}} || President || Dilma Rousseff
|-
| {{Flagu|Chile}} || President || Sebastián Piñera<ref name="havanatimes.org"/>
|-
| {{Flagu|Colombia}} || President || [[Biography:Juan Manuel Santos|Juan Manuel Santos]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eltiempo.com/mundo/latinoamerica/ARTICULO-WEB-NEW_NOTA_INTERIOR-12655682.html |title=Santos, Petro y Córdoba, entre los que asistirán al funeral de Chávez |publisher=Eltiempo.com |access-date=8 March 2013}}</ref>
|-
| {{Flagu|Costa Rica}} || President || Laura Chinchilla<ref name="guardian.co.uk"/>
|-
| {{Flagu|Cuba}} || President || Raúl Castro<ref name="havanatimes.org"/>
|-
| {{Flagu|Curaçao}} || Prime Minister || Daniel Hodge<ref name=WPlist>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press |url=https://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-03-07/world/37529837_1_venezuela-government-leaders-prime-minister-kamla-persad-bissessar |title="Government leaders planning to attend Hugo Chavez's state funeral in Venezuela on Friday", from ''The Washington Post'' |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=7 March 2013 |access-date=15 March 2013 }} </ref>
|-
| {{Flagu|Dominica}} || Prime Minister || Roosevelt Skerrit<ref name="guardian.co.uk"/>
|-
| {{Flagu|Dominican Republic}} ||President || Danilo Medina<ref name=WPlist/>
|-
| {{Flagu|Ecuador}} || President || Rafael Correa<ref name="havanatimes.org"/>
|-
| {{Flagu|El Salvador}} || President || Mauricio Funes<ref name="havanatimes.org"/>
|-
| {{Flagu|Equatorial Guinea}} || President || Teodoro Obiang<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com/noticia.php?id=3592 |title=El Presidente asiste a los actos fúnebres de Hugo Chávez |publisher= guineaecuatorialpress.com |access-date=11 March 2013}}</ref>
|-
| {{Flagu|Guatemala}} || President || Otto Pérez Molina<ref name="havanatimes.org"/>
|-
| {{Flagu|Guyana}} || President || Donald Ramotar<ref name="guardian.co.uk"/>
|-
| {{Flagu|Haiti}} || President <br /> Prime Minister || Michel Martelly<ref name=WPlist/> <br /> Laurent Lamothe<ref name=WPlist/>
|-
| {{Flagu|Honduras}} || President || Porfirio Lobo Sosa<ref name="guardian.co.uk"/>
|-
|-
| {{Flagu|Jamaica}} || Prime Minister || Portia Simpson-Miller<ref name=WPlist/>
|-
| {{Flagu|Mexico}} || President || Enrique Peña Nieto<ref name=WPlist/>
|-
|-
| {{Flagu|Panama}} || President || Ricardo Martinelli<ref name="havanatimes.org"/>
|-
| {{Flagu|Peru}} || President || Ollanta Humala<ref name="havanatimes.org"/>
|-
| {{Flagu|Saint Kitts and Nevis}} || Prime Minister || Denzil Douglas<ref name=WPlist/>
|-
| {{Flagu|Saint Lucia}} || Prime Minister || Kenny Anthony<ref name=WPlist/>
|-
| {{Flagu|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}} || Prime Minister || Ralph Gonsalves<ref name="guardian.co.uk"/>
|-
| {{Flagu|Suriname}} || President || Dési Bouterse<ref name=WPlist/>
|-
| {{Flagu|Trinidad and Tobago}} || Prime Minister || Kamla Persad-Bissessar<ref name=WPlist/>
|-
| {{Flagu|Uruguay}} || President || José Mujica<ref>{{cite news|last=Gardner |first=Simon |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-chavez-idUSBRE92405420130306 |title=Mourning Venezuelans parade Chavez's coffin, prepare for vote |work=Reuters |access-date=8 March 2013 |date=6 March 2013}}</ref>
|- align=center
| colspan="3" | '''Government representatives'''
|-
| {{Flagu|People's Republic of China}} || President's Special Envoy || Zhang Ping<ref>[http://www.rnv.gov.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8862:delegacion-de-la-republica-popular-china-arribo-al-pais-para-rendir-tributo-a-chavez&catid=43:internacionales&Itemid=90] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204103329/http://www.rnv.gov.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8862%3Adelegacion-de-la-republica-popular-china-arribo-al-pais-para-rendir-tributo-a-chavez&catid=43%3Ainternacionales&Itemid=90|date=4 February 2016}}– 8 March 2013</ref>
|-
| {{Flagu|Colombia}} || Foreign Minister <br /> Mayor of [[Place:Bogotá|Bogotá]] || María Ángela Holguín<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elheraldo.co/noticias/nacional/presidente-y-canciller-viajan-hoy-a-caracas-para-funeral-de-chavez-102647 |title="Presidente y Canciller viajan hoy a Caracas para funeral de Chávez", from ''El Heraldo'' (Spanish) |date=7 March 2013 |publisher=Elheraldo.co |access-date=15 March 2013}}</ref> <br /> Gustavo Petro
|-

| {{Flagu|Equatorial Guinea}} || First Lady || Constancia Mangue de Obiang<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com/noticia.php?id=3592 |title=El Presidente asiste a los actos fúnebres de Hugo Chávez - Página Oficial del Gobierno de la República de Guinea Ecuatorial |access-date=11 March 2013 |archive-date=11 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211034049/http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com/noticia.php?id=3592 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

|-
| {{Flagu|France}} || Minister of Overseas France || Victorin Lurel
|-
| {{Flagu|Guadeloupe}} || Guadeloupe R.C. president || Josette Borel-Lincertin
|-
| {{Flagu|Grenada}} || Foreign minister ||Nicholas Steele
|-
| {{Flagu|India}} || Corporate Affairs Minister || Sachin Pilot<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sachin-pilot-attending-chavezs-funeral/article4485554.ece |title=Sachin Pilot attending Chavez's funeral |work=The Hindu |access-date=11 March 2013 |location=Chennai, India |date=8 March 2013}}</ref>
|-
| {{Flagu|Netherlands}} || Minister of State || Hans van den Broek<ref name=govtnetherlands>{{cite news|title=Netherlands offers condolences to Venezuela |url=http://www.government.nl/news/2013/03/06/netherlands-offers-condolences-to-venezuela.html|access-date=10 March 2013|newspaper=Government of the Netherlands|date=6 March 2013}}</ref>
|-
| {{Flagu|Portugal}} || Minister of State and Foreign Minister || Paulo Portas<ref name=expressopt>{{cite news|title=Paulo Portas está em Caracas para o funeral de Chávez|url=https://expresso.sapo.pt/paulo-portas-esta-em-caracas-para-o-funeral-de-chavez=f792129|access-date=8 March 2013|newspaper=Expresso|date=8 March 2013|archive-date=3 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003175331/http://expresso.sapo.pt/paulo-portas-esta-em-caracas-para-o-funeral-de-chavez=f792129|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| {{Flagu|Russia}} || Foreign Minister<br />Federation Council Speaker<br />Trade and Industry Minister || Sergey Lavrov<br />Valentina Matviyenko<br />Denis Manturov<ref name="en.ria.ru">{{cite web|url=http://en.ria.ru/world/20130308/179895914/Venezuela-Bids-Farewell-to-President-Chavez.html |title=Venezuela Bids Farewell to President Chavez |date=8 March 2013 |agency=RIA Novosti |access-date=15 March 2013}}</ref>
|-
| {{Flagu|Sahrawi Republic}} || President's Special Envoy, Minister Delegate for Latin America || Hach Ahmed Baricalla<ref name="MinisterSPS" />
|-
| {{Flagu|Spain}} || Crown Prince || Felipe, Prince of Asturias<ref name=globalpost/>
|-
|-
| {{Flagu|Syria}} || Minister of Presidential Affairs || Mansour Fadlallah Azzam<ref>{{cite web|author=Syrian Arab News Agency: SANA, Damascus Syria – syria news |url=http://www.sana-syria.com/eng/22/2013/03/10/471424.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411182620/http://www.sana-syria.com/eng/22/2013/03/10/471424.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 April 2013 |title=Syrian Arab news agency – SANA – Syria : Syria news :: |publisher=Sana-syria.com |date=10 March 2013 |access-date=15 March 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| {{Flagu|Turkey}} || Deputy Prime Minister || Beşir Atalay<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.turkishny.com/usa-life/87-usa-life/116448-turkish-deputy-pmchavezs-death-shook-latin-america |title=Turkish Deputy PM:Chavez's Death Shook Latin America |publisher=Turkishny.com |date=9 March 2013 |access-date=15 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022031907/http://www.turkishny.com/usa-life/87-usa-life/116448-turkish-deputy-pmchavezs-death-shook-latin-america |archive-date=22 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| {{Flagu|United Kingdom}} || Ambassador || Catherine Nettleton
|-
| {{Flagu|United States}} || Chargé d'affaires, Caracas<br /> Congressman || James M. Derham<ref name=globalpost>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/agencia-efe/130307/us-sending-low-profile-delegation-chavez-funeral |title=U.S. sending low-profile delegation to Chavez funeral |publisher=GlobalPost |access-date=8 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318103555/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/agencia-efe/130307/us-sending-low-profile-delegation-chavez-funeral |archive-date=18 March 2013  }}</ref> <br /> Gregory Meeks
|-
| {{Flagu|Vatican City}} ||Bishop of San Cristóbal || Mario Moronta<ref>{{cite web|url=http://diocesisdesancristobal.org/monsenor-mario-moronta-en-el-funeral-de-estado-del-presidente-de-venezuela/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130414181236/http://diocesisdesancristobal.org/monsenor-mario-moronta-en-el-funeral-de-estado-del-presidente-de-venezuela/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 April 2013 |title=Monseñor Mario Moronta en el funeral de estado del Presidente de Venezuela &#124; Diócesis de San Cristóbal |publisher=Diocesisdesancristobal.org |access-date=15 March 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| {{Flagu|Vietnam}} || Deputy Prime Minister || Hoang Trung Hai
|- align=center
| colspan="3" | '''Heads of multilateral organizations'''
|-
| {{Flagu|European Union}} || Head of delegation, Caracas || Antonio Cardoso Mota
|-
| {{Flagu|Organization of American States}} || Secretary General || José Miguel Insulza<ref name = "Cristina"/>
|-
| {{Flagu|Union of South American Nations}} || Secretary General || Ali Rodriguez Araque
|-
| {{Flagu|United Nations}} || Executive Secretary of ECLAC || Alicia Bárcena Ibarra<ref name = "Cristina"/>
|-
|Inter-American Development Bank || President || Luis Alberto Moreno<ref name = "Cristina"/>
|}
[[File:Hugo Chavez funeral 2.jpg|700px|thumb|center|{{center|Foreign dignitaries, Chávez's family and Venezuelan officials gathered around Chávez's casket.}}]]
Argentinian president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was amongst the first heads of state to arrive in Venezuela on Tuesday 5 March. She visited the chapel at the military hospital to pay her final respects on Thursday before returning home,<ref name = "Cristina">{{cite web |url=http://en.mercopress.com/2013/03/08/emotional-cristina-fernandez-back-in-argentina-misses-chavez-funeral-ceremony |title=Emotional Cristina Fernandez back in Argentina misses Chavez funeral ceremony |date=8 March 2013 |publisher= MercoPress |access-date=11 March 2013}}</ref> citing health reasons.<ref name = "Rousseff"/> Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff attended a wake on Thursday at the military academy before returning to Brazil on Friday morning.<ref name = "Rousseff">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-chavez-rousseff-idUSBRE9280G320130309 |title=Brazilian leftist Rousseff distances herself from Chavez |work=Reuters |date= 9 March 2013 |access-date=11 March 2013}}</ref> Former President Lula da Silva accompanied President Rousseff and departed before the funeral service.

Former Canadian prime minister Jean Chrétien and his wife Aline attended the funeral,<ref>{{cite news|title=Chrétien among eclectic mix of dignitaries, leaders who attended Chavez funeral |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/jean-chrtien-among-eclectic-mix-of-dignitaries-leaders-who-attended-chavez-funeral/article9559388/ |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=8 March 2013 |location=Toronto |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311214343/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/jean-chrtien-among-eclectic-mix-of-dignitaries-leaders-who-attended-chavez-funeral/article9559388/ |archive-date=11 March 2013 }}</ref> along with former Colombian senator Piedad Córdoba, former Honduran president Manuel Zelaya, and former Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo.

Other attendees included Former US congressman William Delahunt, President of the Russian Rosneft oil company Igor Sechin and CEO of Rostec Sergei Chemezov;<ref name="en.ria.ru"/> Nikolay Lukashenko, son of the Belarusian president; Alexis Tsipras, the leader of SYRIZA in Greece (later Prime Minister of Greece); from Spain were Cayo Lara and Willy Meyer Pleite (MEP).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.izquierda-unida.es/node/11892/ |title=Cayo Lara y Willy Meyer viajan a Caracas para asistir en representación de Izquierda Unida al funeral de Hugo Chávez &#124; IZQUIERDA UNIDA |publisher=Izquierda-unida.es |access-date=15 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313095903/http://www.izquierda-unida.es/node/11892 |archive-date=13 March 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Formula One driver Pastor Maldonado, American civil rights activist Jesse Jackson and actor Sean Penn also attended.<ref>{{cite web |author=Brock Keeling |url=http://sfist.com/2013/03/08/sean_penn_attends_hugo_chavezs_fune.php |title=Sean Penn, Rev. Jesse Jackson Attend Hugo Chavez's Funeral |publisher=SFist |date=8 March 2013 |access-date=15 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312053858/http://sfist.com/2013/03/08/sean_penn_attends_hugo_chavezs_fune.php |archive-date=12 March 2013  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/08/17234923-dramatic-exit-heads-of-state-gather-for-hugo-chavezs-funeral |title=Heads of State gather for Hugo Chavez funeral|work=NBC News |date=24 October 2012 |access-date=8 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-21709922 | title=Venezuela holds Hugo Chavez state funeral | work=BBC News | date=8 March 2013 }}</ref>

Honour guards were provided by the cadets of the component service academies of the Venezuelan Bolivarian Military University and by personnel of the Presidential Honor Guard Brigade, among others.{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}} The Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra led by Gustavo Dudamel provided musical accompaniment during the state funeral services.

==Tomb==
[[File:Tumba Hugo Chávez Cuartel de la Montaña Caracas Venezuela.JPG|250px|thumbnail|right|Mausoleum of Hugo Chávez.]]
Echoing strong national sentiment the Government elevated a proposal to the National Assembly (Parliament) for a statute amendment that would allow placing the late president's body near that of Simón Bolívar (the Liberator and father of the country) in the National Pantheon of Venezuela, a secular building housing the remains and/or cenotaphs to independence war heroes and former presidents. The statute (still unamended) requires that a number of years pass before any such moves. Chávez's remains were placed instead at a mausoleum (built in 99 days) at the now Revolution Museum (formerly Army Museum) at the Mountain Barracks (former site of the Military Academy in La Planicie Barracks). The mausoleum to Hugo Chávez consists of a granite sarcophagus atop a flat architectural composition of four leaves entitled ''Flower of the Four Elements'' by modernist architect 'Fruto' (Jose Fructoso) Vivas (1928–) (national Architecture Price and designer of the Venezuelan Pavilion at Hanover in 2000) and has a permanent ceremonial 4-man honour guard provided by the Presidential Honor Guard Brigade, which is changed every hour. A 19th century cannon is fired every afternoon from the Fort marking the time of his death by a National Militia gun crew. Both ceremonies are open to the public.

==Foreign media commentary==
The BBC quoted analysts as saying Chávez' death could alter the balance against the so-called "[[Social:Pink tide|pink tide]]" in favour of centrist governments. It also suggested a possible economic impact to Venezuelan oil sales due to them being below market prices relative to some neighbouring countries, especially in the Caribbean.<ref name="bbc"/> ''Americas Quarterly'' editor Christopher Sabatini suggested that the "Chávez myth" would outlive his achievements.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/05/chavez-myth-will-outlive-his-achievements/ |title=Chavez myth will outlive his achievements |publisher=CNN |access-date=6 March 2013 |date=5 March 2013}}</ref> Prior to his death, Venezuela's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia were also highlighted as dependent on Chávez.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://taklama.com/2013/01/16/succession-of-chavez-also-affects-abkhazia-and-south-ossetia/ |title=Succession of Chavez also affects Abkhazia and South Ossetia |publisher=Taklama |date=16 January 2013 |access-date=6 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926155757/http://taklama.com/2013/01/16/succession-of-chavez-also-affects-abkhazia-and-south-ossetia/ |archive-date=26 September 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.presidencia.gob.ve/ Official website of the Venezuelan Government]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Death and state funeral of Hugo Chávez}}
[[Category:Death conspiracy theories]]

{{Sourceattribution|Death of Hugo Chávez}}