Breaking News English

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has died from [perspiration / respiratory] problems, aged 58. He had been seriously ill [of / with] cancer for over a year. There had been [much / many] speculation over whether or not he would [regain / regaining] his health to [resume / resumption] his presidential duties. Venezuelan vice-president Nicolas Maduro [informed / affirmed] the nation on Tuesday evening, telling Venezuelans that Mr Chavez had died, "after battling a [tough / toughness] illness for nearly two years." Maduro speculated that Chavez's cancer was started by [foul / fowl] play. He said: “We have no doubt that Commandant Chavez was attacked with this illness. We don't have a [single / double] doubt. The established enemies of our land [specifically / specially] tried to harm the health of our leader.”

Hugo Chavez was a [highly / height] popular leader in his country who continually [championed / triumphed] the causes and [rights / wrongs] of the poor. He redirected significant [some / sums] from the country's considerable [oil / oily] revenues into social welfare programmes. He became famous for his [furry / fiery] speeches, especially those attacking the USA. He made [several / servile] controversial attacks on then president George W. Bush, [that / whom] he labelled a devil. Mr Maduro led a call for Venezuelans to celebrate Chavez, saying: “We’re going to grow, we’re going to get [past / passed] this. Have a lot of courage. Stay strong, be strong. Let his name rise up. Let’s [appraise / praise] Hugo Chavez." He added: “Those who die for life, can’t be called dead.”