Ban Ki Moon conveys condolences to Venezuela

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez died on Tuesday in Caracas, almost three months after his fourth surgery

President Chávez holds the Constitution (File photo: AFP)

EL UNIVERSAL

Tuesday March 05, 2013 07:09 PM

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon extended on Tuesday his "heartfelt condolences" to the Venezuelan people and government upon learning from the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

"This is the first news I have and while I will make a formal statement later, I would like to convey my heartfelt condolences to President Chávez's family, as well as to the Venezuelan government and people," Ban K-moon told reporters at the UN Headquarters, Efe quoted.

The Venezuelan leader passed away on Tuesday in Caracas, almost three months after undergoing a fourth cancer surgery last December 11 in Havana, Vice-President Nicolás Maduro reported.

"At 16.25 local time (20.55 GMT) of this, March 5, President Commander Hugo Chávez Frías has died," visibly touched vice-president informed during a radio and TV broadcast.

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