Chavez body ready for transfer to military academy

The body of deceased Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will be transported from the military hospital to the Military School of Venezuela in Caracas.

A state funeral has been scheduled for Friday.

Venezuela has declared seven days of national mourning for the late president as thousands of supporters took to the streets and gathered at the military hospital in Caracas on Wednesday.

The massive crowd subsequently followed Chavez’s funeral carriage on a procession through the streets of the capital city toward the Military Academy of Venezuela where the late president was a notable graduate.

Chavez’ body will lie in state at the school until his funeral on Friday.

The 58-year-old charismatic leader died on Tuesday after a two-year battle with cancer.

Several Latin American countries have declared days of national mourning, while Cuba, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Honduras and Argentina have all reacted with sadness to the death of the region’s most popular leader.

Numerous heads of state and political leaders have expressed their condolences to the South American nation.

US President Barack Obama did not offer any sympathies; instead, he gave a short statement seeking a new chapter in relations with the oil-rich nation.

After Chavez’s demise, Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Elias Jaua announced that Vice President Nicolas Maduro would take charge as interim president and a presidential election will be called within 30 days.

Hours before Chavez’s death, the Venezuelan vice president stated that someday there will be “scientific proof” that the socialist leader was infected with cancer by “imperialist” enemies.