Former Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez died Sunday at the age of 80 from lung cancer, his family announced.

"With deep pain we communicate the death of our beloved father," his sons Alvaro, Javier and Ignacio Vazquez said in a statement.

The statement added that Vazquez died at 3 am local time "due to natural causes of his oncological disease."

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On Twitter, Alvaro Vazquez, who like his father is an oncologist by profession, said that "while he was resting at home, accompanied by some family and friends, Tabare died because of his illness."

"On behalf of the family, we want to thank all Uruguayans for the affection received by him over so many years," he added.

In 1989, Tabare Vazquez became the first person from the left-wing Broad Front coalition to win the mayoralty of &nbsp;Montevideo, having previously become well known as president of football club Progreso, which is based in the capital.

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In 2005, following two failed attempts, he secured the presidency, breaking the traditional hegemony of the Colorado and National parties in the small South American nation.

He held the office until 2010 and again from 2015 until March this year, when he handed the presidential sash to Luis Lacalle Pou of the National Party, who had beaten Broad Front candidate Daniel Martinez in an election run-off.

On Twitter, Broad Front reported "with deep pain" the death of its "honorary president, Tabare Vazquez."

"His example of political integrity and unwavering commitment to our country and the people will drive us to continue his legacy," it said.

In a statement, Vazquez's relatives indicated that, due to coronavirus-related restrictions, they had decided to "not hold a wake."

"His children and grandchildren will see him off in a private and intimate ceremony," they said.

Former Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez died Sunday at the age of 80 from lung cancer, his family announced. "With deep pain we communicate the death of our beloved father," his sons Alvaro, Javier and Ignacio Vazquez said in a statement.

Former Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez died Sunday at the age of 80 from lung cancer, his family announced. "With deep pain we communicate the death of our beloved father," his sons Alvaro, Javier and Ignacio Vazquez said in a statement. The statement added that Vazquez died at 3 am local time "due to natural causes of his oncological disease." Also read| Indonesia minister arrested over COVID aid bribes On Twitter, Alvaro Vazquez, who like his father is an oncologist by profession, said that "while he was resting at home, accompanied by some family and friends, Tabare died because of his illness." "On behalf of the family, we want to thank all Uruguayans for the affection received by him over so many years," he added. In 1989, Tabare Vazquez became the first person from the left-wing Broad Front coalition to win the mayoralty of Montevideo, having previously become well known as president of football club Progreso, which is based in the capital. Also read| Former Austrian Finance minister to serve eight years in prison for corruption scandal In 2005, following two failed attempts, he secured the presidency, breaking the traditional hegemony of the Colorado and National parties in the small South American nation. He held the office until 2010 and again from 2015 until March this year, when he handed the presidential sash to Luis Lacalle Pou of the National Party, who had beaten Broad Front candidate Daniel Martinez in an election run-off. On Twitter, Broad Front reported "with deep pain" the death of its "honorary president, Tabare Vazquez." "His example of political integrity and unwavering commitment to our country and the people will drive us to continue his legacy," it said. In a statement, Vazquez's relatives indicated that, due to coronavirus-related restrictions, they had decided to "not hold a wake." "His children and grandchildren will see him off in a private and intimate ceremony," they said.

Former Uruguay president Tabare Vazquez dies aged 80

European and Latin American countries that form an "international contact group" hoping to end <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-as-thousands-of-guaido-supporters-hit-streets-nicolas-maduro-calls-for-early-parliamentary-elections-194664">Venezuela's political crisis</a> will hold their first meeting in Montevideo on Thursday, the joint hosts announced Sunday.

The meeting will be at ministerial level, said a statement from EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini and Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez.

"The IGC aims at contributing to create conditions for a political and peaceful process to emerge, enabling Venezuelans to determine their own future, through the holding of free, transparent and credible elections, in line with the country's Constitution," said the statement.

The contact group comprises the EU and eight of its member states -- France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom -- and four Latin American countries: Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Uruguay.

The EU announced its creation last Thursday, giving itself a 90-day timetable to resolve the crisis in Venezuela.

Mogherini said then that its aim was to enable the holding of new elections under democratic conditions -- not to mediate with the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

The United States and a dozen Latin American countries have already recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's acting head of state -- as has the European Parliament.

France, Britain, Germany and Spain are among the EU countries that have told Maduro to call elections by the weekend or they will recognise the opposition-backed parliamentary speaker.

France European Affairs Minister Nathalie Loiseau said Sunday that if Maduro had not called a fresh presidential election by Sunday evening, France would consider Guaido interim president with the right to organise them in his place.

She denounced Maduro's election victory last May as a "tragic farce" in comments to French radio RTL.

European and Latin American countries that form an "international contact group" hoping to end Venezuela's political crisis will hold their first meeting in Montevideo on Thursday, the joint hosts announced Sunday.

European and Latin American countries that form an "international contact group" hoping to end Venezuela's political crisis will hold their first meeting in Montevideo on Thursday, the joint hosts announced Sunday. The meeting will be at ministerial level, said a statement from EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini and Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez. "The IGC aims at contributing to create conditions for a political and peaceful process to emerge, enabling Venezuelans to determine their own future, through the holding of free, transparent and credible elections, in line with the country's Constitution," said the statement. The contact group comprises the EU and eight of its member states -- France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom -- and four Latin American countries: Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Uruguay. The EU announced its creation last Thursday, giving itself a 90-day timetable to resolve the crisis in Venezuela. Mogherini said then that its aim was to enable the holding of new elections under democratic conditions -- not to mediate with the government of President Nicolas Maduro. The United States and a dozen Latin American countries have already recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's acting head of state -- as has the European Parliament. France, Britain, Germany and Spain are among the EU countries that have told Maduro to call elections by the weekend or they will recognise the opposition-backed parliamentary speaker. France European Affairs Minister Nathalie Loiseau said Sunday that if Maduro had not called a fresh presidential election by Sunday evening, France would consider Guaido interim president with the right to organise them in his place. She denounced Maduro's election victory last May as a "tragic farce" in comments to French radio RTL.

EU, Latam contact group on Venezuela to meet on December 7

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Former Uruguay president Tabare Vazquez dies aged 80

EU, Latam contact group on Venezuela to meet on December 7