Venezuelans mourn President Hugo Chavez

Venezuela has announced seven days of mourning for Hugo Chavez, who has died aged 58, after 14 years as president.

Hundreds of Mr Chavez’s supporters took to the streets of Caracas to express their grief.

Mr Chavez had been seriously ill with cancer for more than a year.

A self-proclaimed revolutionary, Hugo Chavez was a controversial figure in Venezuela and on the world stage. A staunch critic of the US, he inspired a left-wing revival across Latin America.

His body will be taken in a procession to the Military Academy in Caracas where it will lie in state until a state funeral on Friday. All schools and universities have been shut for the week.

Caracas was quiet following the news of Mr Chavez’s death, with many shops and businesses shutting. Crowds of supporters gathered outside the Caracas hospital where he died, chanting “We are all Chavez!”

Mr Chavez’s illness prevented him from taking the oath of office after he was re-elected for a fourth term in October.

Announcing the death on Tuesday, Vice-President Nicolas Maduro called on the nation to close ranks after its leader’s demise.

“Let there be no weakness, no violence. Let there be no hate. In our hearts there should only be one sentiment: Love.”

Police and troops would be deployed nationwide “to guarantee the peace”, he added.

A statement from the military said it would remain loyal to the vice-president and to parliament, it added, urging people to remain calm.

There were isolated reports of violence after the news of Chavez’s death, with attackers burning the tents of a group of students who had been demanding more information about Mr Chavez’s condition. Nobody was injured in the incident.