Caracas:
Tens of thousands of Venezuelans flocked to the Military Academy in the capital Caracas on Friday to bid farewell to the late president Hugo Chavez at his funeral.
They were joined by 33 heads of state and 55 high-level international delegations from 54 countries and regions across the world.
Long lines of mourners formed outside the academy hours before the funeral scheduled to begin at 11:00 local time, with many wearing the red of Chavez's socialist party and chanting slogans with his photos in hands.
"We are very proud to have him as our president. But at the same time we are sad (about his death). All the Venezuelan people are grieved," said Lida Huertas, a mourner at the funeral of the controversial figure who ruled the country for 14 years.
"In fact we are not bidding farewell to him. Chavez is here; he is with us. More importantly, he not only lives in Venezuela, but all around the world," said July Matu, another mourner.
It is estimated that more than two million people from around the country have so far arrived in Caracas to view Chavez's body.
