Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez passed away. Vice President Nicolás Maduro delivered the news of Chávez’s death on television.

Several hours earlier, however, Maduro had called upon the Venezuelan people to pray for their leader’s health, and expressed confidence that the severe illness of the 58-year-old president was “a result of a plot against him.”

The country’s FM Elías Jaua informed that the funeral ceremony for El Comandante will take place Friday. Until then, however, the body of the “Bolivarian Revolution” leader will remain at the military academy.    

Seven-day mourning is declared in the country in connection with the death of the Venezuelan head of state.