Hugo Chavez dies

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has died after a prolonged battle with cancer, Vice President Nicolas Maduro announced on national television, RIA reported.

The announcement came hours after an emergency government meeting following reports that the health of Venezuela’s charismatic socialist leader was failing.

“We have received the toughest and tragic information that… Comandante President Hugo Chavez died today [Tuesday] at 4:25 pm [17:25 GMT]," Maduro said in an emotional address to Venezuelans.

Meanwhile, Venezuela's Defense Minister, Admiral Diego Molero, appealed on national television for "unity, tranquility and understanding" among Venezuelans and vowed that the military will remain loyal to the constitution in the wake of Chavez's death.
Chavez, 58, who has ruled Venezuela for 14 years, has had four operations for cancer and four courses of chemotherapy in Cuba and Venezuela within a year. His fourth operation, to remove cancerous tissue, took place in Cuba on December 11.

Chavez, who was known as the most vocal US adversary in Latin America, won a new six-year term at an election in October and his inauguration was slated for January 11, but he was unable to attend due to health reasons.

Chavez named Vice President Maduro as his potential successor before going for the latest surgery in December.