Diane Abbott, Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, has paid tribute to Hugo Chavez, the ex-Venezuelan president whose death was announced earlier this evening.
Hugo #Chavez has died.Commiserations to his family & the people of #Venezuela .Tragedy for Latin America & Caribbean.
— Diane Abbott MP (@HackneyAbbott) March 5, 2013
Chavez, president of Venezuela for 14 years, died after a two-year battle with cancer, aged 58. His vice-president, Nicolas Maduro, announced his death earlier this evening, saying he had little doubt that Chavez’ cancer was caused by Venezuela’s adversaries.
Abbott drew criticism in October last year for canceling a local ‘Keep Our NHS public’ meeting at short notice in order to fly to Venezuela and watch the country’s presidential election.
@ben_a_f Fascinating. Nail biting finish & Chavez shows another world is possible guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/… twitter.com/HackneyAbbott/…
— Diane Abbott MP (@HackneyAbbott) October 8, 2012
@crablin Pr I was election observer for presidential election in Venezuela.Vital election for Latin America and the Caribbean
— Diane Abbott MP (@HackneyAbbott) October 10, 2012
Interactive MA student at City University.