The Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed his "deep sadness" over the death of Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, and "in this sad day" expressed "solidarity" with Venezuela.

"It was with great sadness that I received the news of the death of President Hugo Chavez," Lula said through a statement released by his eight-line press office.

"I have lived with and proud to have worked with him for the integration of Latin America and a fairer world," said the president in his note, issued shortly after the death confirmed in Caracas Chavez, victim of cancer by he was treated since 2011. Lula also expressed confidence that the "example of patriotism" and "dedication" of Chavez "to the cause of the underprivileged continue to light the future of Venezuela." Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, died at 16.25 local time (20.55 GMT) on Tuesday, as reported by his vice president, Nicolas Maduro.