World leaders pay respects to Chávez at funeral

From Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Cuba’s Raul Castro, about 30 heads of state joined the funeral of Hugo Chávez in a last goodbye to the charismatic but divisive Venezuelan leader who changed the face of politics in South America.

Chávez died on Tuesday aged 58 after a two-year battle with cancer, devastating millions of supporters who loved him for putting the country’s vast oil wealth at their service, but giving hope to foes who saw him as a dictator.

Huge crowds of “Chávistas” arrived early for the ceremony at a military academy where his body has been lying in state. Many were dressed in the red of the ruling Socialist Party, carrying his picture and waving Venezuelan flags.