Venezuela president Hugo Chavez dies at 58, leaves country uncertain

Published: Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Updated: Tuesday, March 5, 2013 22:03

Venezuela president Hugo Chavez dies at 58, leaves country uncertain

(AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Supporters of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez gather in Bolivar square to mourn Chavez's death in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, March 5, 2013.

View the story "Venezuela president Hugo Chavez dies at 58, leaves country uncertain " on StorifyVenezuela president Hugo Chavez dies at 58, leaves country uncertain Venezuela Vice President Nicolas Maduro urged residents to come together as they mourned the death of president Hugo Chavez on Tuesday. Storified by George Mattingly· Tue, Mar 05 2013 18:23:28AtlantablackstarUncertainty is swirling around the future of Venezuela after government officials announced the death of president Hugo Chavez on Monday.

With the country in mourning after the news of Chavez's death, Vice President Nicolas Maduro urged for unity in Venezuela as the country prepares to choose its new leader.

"We must unite now more than ever," Maduro said, according to CNN.

Chavez died of cancer, according to CNN. He first announced his diagnosis in June 2011, but never said which cancer he had.

The news of his death spread quickly, as citizens poured onto the streets with flags and pictures in hand while other wept for the loss of their leader.

The news also on social media, where people were equally upset.

RIP Hugo Chavez!Santosh Acharya Mi solidaridad a toda la familia y seguidores del Presidente Hugo Chávez,abogamos por la unidad de los venezolanos en este momentoHenrique Capriles R.Every other tweet about Hugo Chavez yet I still can’t get my head round this news. I truly believed he would get better. Heartbreaking.Karen LeesSiento mucho el fallecimiento del presidente Hugo Chavez Frias, le envio mis condolencias a todos sus familiares y tambien a sus amigos. PAZANTONIO J.RENDON R .Chavez's death has also drawn mixed reactions from other countries.

Ecuador's foreign ministry called his death an "irreparable loss" for the Latin-American community, CNN reported.

However, U.S. Representative Mike Rogers said Chavez was a "destabilizing force in Latin America, and an obstacle to progress in the region" and hopes for more peace between the U.S. and Venezuela.

However, the question lingering in Venezuela is who will be the country's next leader.

The country must call new elections in 30 days, according to Venezuela's Constitution, but officials have not said when elections will be held or who would run the country in the meantime.

CNN reported that Maduro and National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello were the top two officials who have been mentioned as possible replacements for Chavez.

Chavez's remians will be taken to a military academy in Caracas on Wednesday, according to Foreign Minister Elias Jaua. He will lie in state for three days and his state funeral will be held there on Friday morning.

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Venezuela president Hugo Chavez dies at 58, leaves country uncertain

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