US to send delegation to Chavez's funeral

President Obama will likely send an as-yet undetermined delegation to the funeral of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in an effort to thaw relations between the two countries, a senior State Department official told reporters Wednesday.

"Whether a delegation will be sent for the funeral and ceremony that’s going to be held at the end of the week, I think on that all I would say is that’s a White House decision but I do expect that there will be a delegation," the official said. "So, basically, stay tuned for that. I don’t want to preempt the White House on that."

The official went on to express hope for a "productive and functional relationship" with Venezuela. The comments mirror President Obama's statement Tuesday evening, when he expressed hope for a “constructive relationship.”“At this challenging time of President Hugo Chavez’s passing, the United States reaffirms its support for the Venezuelan people and its interest in developing a constructive relationship with the Venezuelan government,” he said. “As Venezuela begins a new chapter in its history, the United States remains committed to policies that promote democratic principles, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.”

Chavez, 58, died of cancer Tuesday in a Cuban hospital. His socialist policies and support for U.S. foes such as Cuba, Iran and Syria had long made him an enemy of Washington.