Close family gather around the tomb of Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, on the one year anniversary of his death.

They offer tears and white roses to the man who led the country for 14 years.

It's an emotional but welcome distraction for Chavez's successor President Nicolas Maduro, who's been facing violent protests for the last month.

Latin American heads of state joined Chavez supporters, coming to the capital to pay their respects.

Here -- in the midst of anniversary events -- Maduro made the surprise announcement....he had broken diplomatic relations and frozen economic ties with Panama

It was payback, after Panama requested an urgent meeting of the Organisation of American States to discuss the Venezuelan crisis.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA, NICOLAS MADURO, SAYING:

"We're not going to let anyone get away with interfering with our fatherland, you despicable lackey, president of Panama. He does not represent his people, Pa