HAVANA — The Cuban government declared two days of official mourning for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who died Tuesday at the age of 58 following a long battle with cancer.

Cuba’s government praised Chavez’s goal of uniting the people of Latin America and pledged loyalty to the continuation of his Bolivarian Revolution, according to the statement in the state-run Granma website.

“He deeply understood our challenges and problems and he did what he could, with extraordinary generosity,” the government said.

Venezuela sells cheap oil to the island nation, while Cuba sends doctors and other professionals to work in Venezuela. Chavez underwent four operations for an undisclosed form of cancer in Cuba before his death.