国际英语新闻:World leaders pay tribute to Chavez at his funeral

"We have to become a great power," he said while promising to promote socialism in the country and build a balanced world, as Chavez ordered before his death. "We want a world of peace and equal right to live in," he concluded.

Heads of state and government and representatives of delegations then took turns to stand aside of the coffin of Chavez as guards of honor. Among them is the head of the China's National Development and Reform Commission, Zhang Ping, as the special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Throughout the ceremony, thousands of Venezuelans gathered outside to bid farewell to Chavez.

"Chavez lives, the struggle continues", "We want to see Chavez, " chanted the crowd, who were gathering a few meters from the entrance in an immense river of red shirts, caps and berets, the emblematic color of Chavism.

The president of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, broke protocol before entering the hall to greet the crowds, who returned the gesture with screaming. "We are all Chavez. He will never die because he still lives in our heart. We will continue to fight for the socialism until the final victory," shouted Liliana Sandra, a 24-year-old student.