Venezuelan President Chavez succumbs after long illness

Caracas - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez died a few minutes before 5 pm (2130 GMT) Tuesday at a military hospital in Caracas, Vice President Nicolas Maduro announced.

Chavez, 58, had suffered a long bout with cancer and was gravely ill in recent months. He had been hospitalized in critical condition after undergoing his fourth surgery for abdominal cancer.

Chavez was diagnosed with cancer in June 2011. He had sought treatment in Cuba, most recently in December after which he contracted a respiratory infection.//DPA