HOUSTON -- Venezuelan-owned oil refiner Citgo flew the flags outside its Houston offices at half staff on Wednesday out of respect for President Hugo Chavez.
Chavez died of cancer Tuesday at 58 years of age.
Citgo confirmed with KHOU 11 News in Houston that its flags, including the U.S. flag, would be lowered for the late president. The company said it would release a statement later in the day.
Chave’z funeral will be held Friday in Caracas in an event that promises to draw leaders from all over Latin America and the world. Already, the presidents of Argentina, Uruguay and Bolivia have arrived for the ceremony.
Grieving multitudes greeted the body as it left the hospital, Reuters reported. His daughter, Maria Gabriela Chavez, and mother, Elena Frias de Chavez, were among those who emerged from the hospital where Chavez died on Tuesday. Seven days of mourning have been declared in Venezuela, and all school was suspended for the week.
