Venezuela's Hugo Chavez dies aged 58

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has died, his vice-president has announced.

Mr Chavez had been seriously ill with cancer for more than a year, undergoing several operations in Cuba, and had not been seen in public for several months.

Nicolas Maduro made the announcement on Tuesday evening, flanked by political and military leaders.

Earlier, he said the 58-year-old Venezuelan leader had a new, severe respiratory infection and had entered "his most difficult hours".

He also announced the government had expelled two US diplomats from the country for spying on Venezuela's military.

"We have received the toughest and tragic information that... Comandante President Hugo Chavez died today at 4:25 pm," said Mr Maduro in a nationally televised address.

He spoke of a plot against Venezuela, saying he had no doubt that Mr Chavez's cancer, first diagnosed in 2011, had been induced by foul play by Venezuela's enemies - the US promptly rejected the accusations as "absurd".

He said a scientific commission could one day investigate whether Mr Chavez's illness was brought about by what he called an enemy attack.

Struggling to hold back tears, Mr Maduro called on the nation to close ranks after their leader's demise.

He said the government had deployed the armed forces and police nationwide "to accompany and protect our people and guarantee the peace."

A statement by the military said it would protect the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country. It would remain loyal to the vice-president and to parliament, it added, urging people to remain calm.

Under the constitution, the head of Venezuela's Congress, Diosdado Cabello, will assume the interim presidency before an election is held.

In Argentina, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner suspended all activities after the death was announced.

Both she and her late husband, Nestor Kirchner, were close friends of the firebrand Venezuelan leader.

Cuba surgery

One of the most visible, vocal and controversial leaders in Latin America, Hugo Chavez won the presidency in 1998 and had most recently won another six-year presidential term in October 2012.

His government has implemented a number of "missions" or social programmes, including education and health services for all. But poverty and unemployment are still widespread, despite the country's oil wealth.

Mr Chavez was renowned for his flamboyant public speaking style, which he has put to use in his weekly live TV programme, Alo Presidente (Hello President), in which he talked about his political ideas, interviews guests and sings and dances.

Last May, the former army paratrooper said he had recovered from an unspecified cancer, after undergoing surgery and chemotherapy in 2011 and a further operation in February 2012.

However, in December, he announced he needed further cancer surgery in Cuba, and named Mr Maduro as his preferred successor should the need arise.

Mr Chavez remained out of public view, finally returning to Venezuela in February.

BBC