Angel Eyes
03-06-2013, 02:05 AM
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A deeply divided Venezuela is mourning its late leader and preparing to pick a new president to replace him.
Venezuela's government called for peace and unity after President Hugo Chavez's
Elections will be held in 30 days, and Vice President Nicolas Maduro will assume the presidency in the interim, Foreign Minister Elias Jaua said in a televised interview on state-run VTV.
"We must unite now more than ever," Maduro said after he announced Chavez's death, calling on Venezuelans to remain respectful.
Henrique Capriles Radonski, a former presidential candidate and opposition leader, also called for Venezuelans to come together.
"Now is not the time for difference ... it's the time for peace," he said.
Supporters of Chavez poured into a Caracas square soon after news of his death spread. Some wept openly. Others waved flags and held up pictures of the late president.
But there was palpable tension in the streets, as some Venezuelans heading home from work tried to steer clear of Chavez's fervent supporters.
Chavez's remains will be taken to a military academy in Caracas on Wednesday, Jaua said. There he will lie in state for three days. His state funeral will be held there on Friday morning, Jaua said.
Officials have not specified when elections would be held, or who would run the country in the meantime.
"Our people can count on having a government of men and women committed to protecting them," Maduro said.
Venezuela's military is in a "process of deploying ... to ensure the safety of all Venezuelans" and to support the country's constitution in the wake of Chavez's death, said Adm. Diego Molero, Venezuela's defense minister.
The country must call new elections within 30 days, according to Venezuela's Constitution. But there's been some debate over who would assume control of the government until elections are held.
Molero pledged support to Maduro and National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello, two top officials who were close allies of the Venezuelan president and who have been mentioned as the leaders who could assume the presidency in an interim role.
The announcement of Chavez's death came hours after Maduro met with the country's top political and military leaders about Chavez's worsening health condition and suggested someone may have deliberately infected Chavez with cancer.
Chavez first announced his cancer diagnosis in June 2011, but the government never revealed details about his prognosis or specified what kind of cancer he had
Shortly before his last trip to Cuba for cancer surgery in December, Chavez tapped Maduro as the man he wanted to replace him.
"He is one of the young leaders with the greatest ability to continue, if I cannot," Chavez said.
A deeply divided Venezuela is mourning its late leader and preparing to pick a new president to replace him.
Venezuela's government called for peace and unity after President Hugo Chavez's
Elections will be held in 30 days, and Vice President Nicolas Maduro will assume the presidency in the interim, Foreign Minister Elias Jaua said in a televised interview on state-run VTV.
"We must unite now more than ever," Maduro said after he announced Chavez's death, calling on Venezuelans to remain respectful.
Henrique Capriles Radonski, a former presidential candidate and opposition leader, also called for Venezuelans to come together.
"Now is not the time for difference ... it's the time for peace," he said.
Supporters of Chavez poured into a Caracas square soon after news of his death spread. Some wept openly. Others waved flags and held up pictures of the late president.
But there was palpable tension in the streets, as some Venezuelans heading home from work tried to steer clear of Chavez's fervent supporters.
Chavez's remains will be taken to a military academy in Caracas on Wednesday, Jaua said. There he will lie in state for three days. His state funeral will be held there on Friday morning, Jaua said.
Officials have not specified when elections would be held, or who would run the country in the meantime.
"Our people can count on having a government of men and women committed to protecting them," Maduro said.
Venezuela's military is in a "process of deploying ... to ensure the safety of all Venezuelans" and to support the country's constitution in the wake of Chavez's death, said Adm. Diego Molero, Venezuela's defense minister.
The country must call new elections within 30 days, according to Venezuela's Constitution. But there's been some debate over who would assume control of the government until elections are held.
Molero pledged support to Maduro and National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello, two top officials who were close allies of the Venezuelan president and who have been mentioned as the leaders who could assume the presidency in an interim role.
The announcement of Chavez's death came hours after Maduro met with the country's top political and military leaders about Chavez's worsening health condition and suggested someone may have deliberately infected Chavez with cancer.
Chavez first announced his cancer diagnosis in June 2011, but the government never revealed details about his prognosis or specified what kind of cancer he had
Shortly before his last trip to Cuba for cancer surgery in December, Chavez tapped Maduro as the man he wanted to replace him.
"He is one of the young leaders with the greatest ability to continue, if I cannot," Chavez said.