Hugo Chavez's death at 58 was due to US plot, claims Maduro

Week of mourning declared for Venezuela's socialist leader as conspiracy theories fly in Caracas

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THE DEATH of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez at 58 after a long struggle with cancer was announced last night by his vice-president and favoured successor Nicolas Maduro. Chavez, who had not been seen in public this year, was an icon for 21st century Latin American socialism. But his rule divided opinion at home and abroad – hence the conspiracy theories circulating in Caracas in the wake of his death:

'It was an American plot.' Chavez's cancer was immediately blamed by Vice-President Maduro on a US plot. In a lengthy televised address, he said Chavez had been infected by "imperialist" enemies. He also revealed that Venezuela had expelled two American diplomats for spying on the military. "We have no doubt that commander Chavez was attacked with this illness", he said. The US said the accusation was "absurd".

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