THUNDER BAY – International – President Hugo Chavez has died – Venezuela’s Vice-President made the announcement this afternoon. President Chavez had not appeared in public since returning to Venezuela in February after receivingr cancer treatment in Cuba. The President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez, died at the Military Hospital in the capital.

President Hugo Chavez Dead at Age 58

Vice President Nicolas Maduro made the announcement, flanked by leading Venezuelan political and military leaders.

The 58-year-old former Venezuelan leader reportedly suffered from a new, and very severe respiratory infection. The Vice President reported that Chavez had entered “his most difficult hours”.

The Venezuelan government has also announced the country has expelled two American diplomats from the country accusing them of spying on the military.

Vice President Maduro said President Chavez had finally succum to cancer “after battling a tough illness for nearly two years.”

The accusation that the cancer which had been first discovered in 2011 but had been caused by enemies of Venezuela’s people.

Venezuelan radio reported that military had been deployed across the country.

More on this breaking story as it comes in….