By Jane Nambi

Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan president for 14 years has died after battling two years with cancer and undergoing several surgeries.

Chavez died yesterday at a military hospital, Caracas military hospital where he had been receiving treatment.  His death was announced by the country’s foreign minister, Jose Jaua Milano. “We have received the toughest and tragic information that… Comandante President Hugo Chavez died today at 16:25 (20:55 GMT),” he said in a televised statement.

His death was received well by the his supporters who have been praying for his recovery. After the death of Chavez was announced, many of his supporters went outside the hospital he had died from and started shouting:”We are all Chavez!” and “Chavez lives!” One of his supporters said, “He was a man who taught us to love our fatherland. The comandante is physically gone but he remains in our hearts and we must continue building the fatherland,” Francis Izquierdo said.

Until an election is held in a period of thirty days, the foreign minister said the presidency will fall in the hands of vice president, Nicolas Maduro who has been leading the country ever since Chavez started battling with cancer for the past two years. He was diagnosed with the disease in 2011.

Chavez will be buried on Friday although full burial programs will be declared.

Government declared a seven-day mourning for the deceased.