President Chavez leaves behind an enduring legacy of striving for social justice: Manmohan Singh

07 March, 2013

Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias (1954 - 2013), the President of Venezuela from 1999 died on March 5, 2013. Venezuela's Vice President Nicolas Maduro announced on state television that Chavez had died in Caracas after battling a tough illness for nearly two years.

The state funeral of Venezuela's late president, who is survived by four children and four grandchildren, is planned to be held in Caracas on Friday.

The Prime Minister India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has condoled the passing away of President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela saying, "I am deeply saddened to learn of the untimely demise of His Excellency President Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias. The people of India join me in conveying our heartfelt condolence to his family and to the Government and people of Venezuela. India stands in solidarity with Venezuela in its hour of grief. Venezuela has lost a charismatic and immensely popular leader in President Chavez, who leaves behind an enduring legacy of striving for social justice."

“President Chavez also made a tremendous contribution to the development of closer relations among the countries of the developing world. We are grateful for his personal efforts in strengthening relations between India and Venezuela and will continue to work towards even closer relations with the friendly people of Venezuela,” he added.

Chavez' death has triggered a constitutional requirement that a presidential election be called within 30 days with Vice President Maduro serving as interim president of the country.