Leaders condole Hugo Chavez's death

Al Jazeera,

CARACAS, Mar 6: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has died after a two-year battle with cancer, ending the socialist leader's 14-year rule of the South American country, Vice President Nicolas Maduro has said in a televised speech.

Maduro, surrounded by other government officials, announced the death in a national television broadcast on Tuesday.

Reaction from around the world  to Chavez's death was swift.

US President Barack Obama, in a statement, called Chavez's passing as a "challenging time" for Venezuela. 

"The United States reaffirms its support for the Venezuelan people and its interest in developing a constructive relationship with the Venezuelan government," Obama said.

"As Venezuela begins a new chapter in its history, the United States remains committed to policies that promote democratic principles, the rule of law, and respect for human rights."

Ban Ki-Moon, the UN secretary-general, said he is "conveying condolence" to the Venezuelan president's "family and the people of Venezuela", according to Al Jazeera's James Bays, who was reporting from New York.

Vitaly Churkin, Russia's ambassador to the UN, also issued as statement describing Chavez's death as a "tragedy".

"He was a great politician for his country and for the world as a whole," Churkin said.   

Meanwhile, a teary-eyed Bolivian President Evo Morales, one of Chavez's closest allies in Latin America and most loyal disciples, declared that "Chavez is more alive than ever."

"Chavez will continue to be an inspiration for all peoples who fight for their liberation," Morales said on Tuesday in a televised speech. "Chavez will always be present in all the regions of the world and all social sectors."

Elias Jaua, Venezuela's foreign minister, has declared seven days of mourning for the Chavez.

Jaua also said the corpse of late Venezuelan president will lie in state through Friday when a public funeral will be held with invited guests from across Latin America.

During more than 14 years in office, Chavez routinely challenged the status quo at home and internationally.