Thousands of Venezuelans were devastated after hearing the news that president Hugo Chavez had died after a two-year battle with cancer on Tuesday (March 5 2013). Above: People gather in public squares in the capital and other states, singing the national anthem, wiping away tears and holding pictures of the leader who forged a near-mystical bond with the country’s poor people. Picture: Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters

His death ended 14 years of charismatic, volatile rule that turned him into a major world figure. Picture: Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters

Throughout his presidency, he projected himself in religious, nationalistic and radical terms as Venezuela’s saviour, and it largely worked.Picture: Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters

Chavez took over from his mentor, Fidel Castro, as the leader of Latin America’s left-wing bloc and its loudest critic of the United States, winning friends and enemies alike with a cutting and dramatic frankness that no one could match.Picture: Jorge Silva/Reuters

One of his supporters said: ’He (Chavez) was a man who taught us to love our fatherland. The comandante is physically gone but he remains in our hearts and we must continue building the fatherland.’ Picture: Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters

Some waved Venezuelan flags while others held signs reading ’People, Chavez and revolution, the battle continues,’ and chanted ’Chavez lives!’ as soldiers guarded the building where the socialist leader died at the age of 58. Picture: Eduardo Verdugo/AP

His supporters cry as they hold signs that read in Spanish ’I am Chavez’ as Chavistas gather in Bolivar square to mourn his death. Picture: Ariana Cubillos/AP

A supporter, with Chavez’s name written on her face, stands on a square in San Salvador. Picture: Ulises Rodriguez/Reuters

Ecuador’s supporters of Chavez hold candles as they gather outside Venezuela’s embassy in Quito after the announcement of his death. Picture: Kevin Granja/Reuters

The government announced that Chavez would lie in wake at a military academy from Thursday until a memorial service takes place with foreign leaders on Friday. Picture: Jorge Silva/Reuters