In this photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Hugo Chavez’ mother Elena ... more >Venezuela President Hugo Chavez’s final words to his nearby general were whispered pleas to stay alive, the head of the presidential security force said Wednesday.
“He couldn’t speak, but he said it with his lips. … ‘I don’t want to die. Please don’t let me die,’ because he loved his country, he sacrificed himself for his country,” Gen. Jose Ornella told The Associated Press.
SEE RELATED: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dies of cancer at 58; ‘Chavistas’ mourn strongman
Mr. Ornella also said Mr. Chavez, who had battled cancer for months, ultimately died of a massive heart attack, AP says.
Mr. Ornella said he was with Mr. Chavez for the past two years and that the cancer had reached very advanced stages when he finally died, AP says.
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Cheryl Chumley is a continuous news writer for The Washington Times. Previously, she was part of the start-up team for The Washington Times’ digital aggregation product, Times247. She’s also a 2008-2009 Robert Novak journalism fellow with The Phillips Foundation. She can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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