The President postponed a reception on the occasion of International Women’s Day and other events to attend the funeral.
“Taking into account the particularly friendly nature and the strategic level of Belarusian-Venezuelan relations, President of Belarus Aliaksandr Lukashenka has decided to personally take part in the funeral ceremony in Caracas following the demise of Venezuela President Hugo Chavez <…> Aliaksandr Lukashenka made the decision to travel to Caracas despite the number of forthcoming international visits and the intense work schedule. The decision has been caused by the fact that Hugo Chavez’ ties with foreign leaders had never been as close and friendly as the ties with the Belarus President. “Thanks to the friendship of the two leaders our countries have managed to achieve impressive results in the development of relations in all spheres within a comparatively short time,” state-owned news agency BelTA quotes the presidential press office.
Aliaksandr Lukashenka was not expected to travel to Venezuela. On March 6, 2013 his press office reported that the head of state had ordered Viktar Sheyman, head of the property management department of the Presidential Administration and Deputy Prime Minister Uladzimir Siamashka to represent Belarus at the funeral.
