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Latin America mourns death of Argentine former president Kirchner

Other News Materials 28 October 2010 02:38 (UTC +04:00)
Heads of state in Latin America and beyond mourned Argentine former president Nestor Kirchner (2003-07), who died Wednesday of heart failure, DPA reported.
Latin America mourns death of Argentine former president Kirchner

Heads of state in Latin America and beyond mourned Argentine former president Nestor Kirchner (2003-07), who died Wednesday of heart failure, DPA reported.

Many South American leaders are expected to travel to Buenos Aires for Kirchner's funeral.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva decreed three days of official mourning in his country, saying he was "dismayed" by the news.

"I always had a great ally and brotherly friend in him," Lula said. "His role in the economic, social, and political reconstruction of his country and his dedication in the fight for South American integration were notable."

Lula heard the news during a public event in southern Brazil and initially doubted the information.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a close ally of Kirchner's during his presidency, expressed sorrow and condolences for Nestor Kirchner's widow, Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

"Oh, my dear Cristina, ... how great the pain! What a big loss for Argentina and our America! Long live Kirchner forever!" Chavez write in his Twitter account.

US President Barack Obama offered "sincere condolences" to the Argentine people and praised Kirchner's contributions to Argentina and South America. His and First Lady Michelle Obama's "thoughts and prayers are with President Fernandez de Kirchner and their children," Obama said.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said he was "profoundly moved" by the death and sent a telegram to Kirchner's widow, addressing her as "dear president, and friend Cristina."

"The love of the entire Spanish people accompanies you in these moments of deep pain," Zapatero's telegram read.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, who took office earlier this year, called Kirchner's death "a great loss for Argentina and for all countries in South America."

"My wife and I have developed a relationship of closeness and true friendship with President Cristina Fernandez and her late husband, so I am very strongly affected personally," Pinera said.

The Chilean Congress held a minute's silence in memory of Kirchner, as did the Organization of American States (OAS).

The Uruguayan government expressed its condolences, though President Jose Mujica declined to comment.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said Kirchner's death was "a great loss for the continent."

"I had the chance in recent times to become good friends with him. He was always willing to make a contribution to improve our relations with the whole region, and always willing to improve the Colombian political environment," Santos said.

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