MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chavez funeral ceremony at the Military Academy, ‘cradle of the Bolivarian revolution’

Foreign minister Jaua said that Chavez’ coffin will lie in estate for three days

The Venezuelan government declared seven days of national mourning and suspended classes until next Friday as it organizes the funeral of President Hugo Chavez that is scheduled to take place at the Military Academy, where he will lie in state beginning Wednesday morning.

“The official ceremony with the heads of state and government from the world that will be attending, will take place on Friday, at 10:00 in the morning at the main hall of the Military Academy of Venezuela”, said Foreign minister Elias Jaua.

The minister thanked all the expressions of solidarity received following the death of Hugo Chavez, and anticipated that his remains will be transported Wednesday morning from the Military Hospital, where he died, to the Military Academy to the west of Caracas.

Jaua said that the Military Academy was chosen for the ceremony because that is “the cradle of the Bolivarian revolution” and the place “where President Chavez was born”, as the deceased leader used to say publicly.

The coffin will be accompanied by the people and among other places will march along the Heroes Avenue, to the west of Caracas and one of the capital’s main avenues where military parades usually take place. “All along from the stands on the route the people will be able to express their sorrow, hopes and determination to continue fighting for the Bolivarian revolution”, said Jaua.

“This will be followed by the official memorial service and posthumous ceremony at the chapel in the Academy during three days, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday”, pointed out Jaua who pledged that the government is organizing the logistics so the greatest number of people can say goodbye to their father, their Liberator and their protector”.

A massive outpour of mourners mainly from Caracas shanty towns and civil servants are expected to come down from the nearby hills of the capital to follow the coffin.

“Friday at 10:00 AM is the official State ceremony”.

In related news Venezuela's military chiefs appeared live on state television late Tuesday to pledge their loyalty to interim President and Vice President Nicolas Maduro following the death of President Hugo Chávez and anticipated that the precautionary deployment of troops has been done quietly with no incidents reported.