By Mirembe Martina

Venezuela has declared a seven day mourning for the death of President Hugo Chavez who died yesterday at Caracas military hospital.

President Hugo Chavez died at the age of 58 after battling with cancer for two years. At the time of his death, he had ruled Venezuela for 14 years although the last two years in power were characterized by his illness. Chavez disappeared from the public and under went surgery in Cuba for several months. To prove that he was alive, a picture of him and his daughters was posted on television; the picture showed him smiling looking seemingly fine.

Foreign Minister, Jose Jaua Milano announced the death saying, “We have received the toughest and tragic information that… Comandante President Hugo Chavez died today at 16:25 (20:55 GMT).”

He will be laid to rest on Friday and for the mean time, the presidency of the country will fall in the hands of the 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.

Voting for a new president will be held in a period of thirty days and the vice president will be the party nominee for Chavez’s party, United Socialist Party (PSUV).

UK Foreign Minister William Hague said he was “saddened” to learn of the death, saying Mr Chavez had left a “lasting impression” on Venezuela. “This is a sensitive moment for the country. You are strongly advised to avoid any public gatherings,” he said.