Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dies at 58
By The Associated Press
This article was originally published March 5, 2013 at 11:17 a.m. Updated March 5, 2013 at 4:14 p.m.
PHOTO BY ARIANA CUBILLOS / AP
Supporters of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez pray for the ailing president at the military hospital's chapel in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, March 5, 2013. A brief statement read on national television by Communications Minister Ernesto Villegas late Monday carried the sobering news about the charismatic 58-year-old leader's deteriorating health. Villegas said Chavez is suffering from "a new, severe infection." The state news agency identified it as respiratory.
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CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez, the fiery populist who declared a socialist revolution in Venezuela, crusaded against U.S. influence and championed a leftist revival across Latin America, died Tuesday at age 58 after a nearly two-year bout with cancer.
Vice President Nicolas Maduro, surrounded by other government officials, announced the death in a national television broadcast. He said Chavez died at 4:25 p.m. local time.
During more than 14 years in office, Chavez routinely challenged the status quo at home and internationally. He polarized Venezuelans with his confrontational and domineering style, yet was also a masterful communicator and strategist who tapped into Venezuelan nationalism to win broad support, particularly among the poor.
A severe new respiratory infection hit the cancer-stricken president recently and his condition was said to be “very delicate,” by the Venezuelan government on Monday.
Chavez had neither been seen nor heard from, except for photos released in mid-February, since submitting to a fourth round of surgery in Cuba on Dec. 11 for an unspecified cancer in the pelvic area. It was first diagnosed in June 2011.
The government says he returned home Feb. 18 and has been confined to Caracas’ military hospital since.
Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
Comments on: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dies at 58
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CCNelson says... March 5, 2013 at 12:02 p.m.
The thing is what goes around comes around. Carma, Fate call it what you like.This Guy is a Jerk and not a friend of U.S.
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Pobucker says... March 5, 2013 at 12:21 p.m.
waste of socialized medicine
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DontDrinkDatKoolAid says... March 5, 2013 at 4:44 p.m.
Calling Michel Moore.
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Jackabbott says... March 5, 2013 at 8:38 p.m.
The guy did a lot of good for his country. He gave free heating oil away to the poor in the Northeast of USA, that is more than you can say for Exxon, BP, Bush or Obama.
He had Bush and Obama pegged right on-one a devil, donkey, the other a disappointment. Viva Chavez.
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BarichMilhusseinObamaNixonPOTUS says... March 5, 2013 at 8:48 p.m.
Ding dong the witch is dead. Good riddance
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Zorr10 says... March 5, 2013 at 8:55 p.m.
Good riddance, you fatso punk!!
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