The End of an Icon -- Peter Wilson, Foreign Policy
Venezuelans react to the death of their larger-than-life president.
CARACAS - Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, known for his strident attacks on capitalism and U.S. imperialism, died this afternoon in a military hospital, losing his two-year fight against cancer.
"Our Comandante Hugo Chávez Frias has died," Vice President Nicolas Maduro said, choking back tears, in a television address carried live.
Maduro, who was surrounded by members of the country's military command, said that Chávez died accompanied by his daughters, brother, and other family members. He called for calm and peace.
But on the streets of Caracas, Venezuelans reacted with shock and sadness at the news, which followed a day of increasingly bizarre events. Maduro had earlier held a press conference, announcing the expulsion of two U.S. diplomats for seeking to destabilize the government. Maduro also said that the government would launch an investigation to determine if Chávez's cancer had been caused by enemies of the country.
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Commentaries, Opinions, And Analysis On The Death of Hugo Chavez
Analysis: Chavistas begin search for Latin America's next 'Comandante' -- Carlos Rajo, NBC
Venezuela After Hugo Chavez: What's Next? -- Gregory Krieg, ABC News
Hugo Chavez era ends: Will US-Venezuela relations improve? -- Howard LaFranchi, Christian Science Monitor
With Chávez Death, Country Faces Uncertainty -- David Luhnow, Wall Street Journal
Post-Chávez Crisis an Opportunity for Venezuela -- Roger F. Noriega, The American
Chavez leaves a revolutionary legacy -- Mariano Castillo, CNN
Death of Hugo Chávez brings chance of fresh start for US and Latin America -- Simon Tisdall, The Guardian
Hugo Chavez's legacy -- David Blair, The Telegraph
Can the 'Bolivarian Socialist Revolution' outlive its leader? -- The Telegraph editorial
After Chávez's funeral, who gets Venezuela's poisoned chalice? -- Rory Carroll, The Guardian
Hugo Chavez: Venezuelan President Leaves A Mixed Legacy -- Andrew O'Reilly, FOX News Latino
Post-Chávez Crisis an Opportunity for Venezuela -- Roger F. Noriega, The American
Chavez leaves a revolutionary legacy -- Mariano Castillo, CNN
Death of Hugo Chávez brings chance of fresh start for US and Latin America -- Simon Tisdall, The Guardian
Hugo Chavez's legacy -- David Blair, The Telegraph
Can the 'Bolivarian Socialist Revolution' outlive its leader? -- The Telegraph editorial
After Chávez's funeral, who gets Venezuela's poisoned chalice? -- Rory Carroll, The Guardian
Hugo Chavez: Venezuelan President Leaves A Mixed Legacy -- Andrew O'Reilly, FOX News Latino
Postscript: Hugo Chávez, 1954-2013 -- Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker
Chavez's death opens door to Venezuela's oil riches -- Nathan Vanderklippe, Globe and Mail
Chavez Death ‘Fundamental Change’ for Region, Farnsworth Says -- Bloomberg
Chavez used force of personality to win votes, influence leaders -- Simon Hooper, special for CNN
In the End, an Awful Manager -- Rory Carroll, New York Times
Chavez leaves a revolutionary legacy -- Mariano Castillo, CNN
Death of Hugo Chávez brings chance of fresh start for US and Latin America -- Simon Tisdall, The Guardian
Hugo Chavez's legacy -- David Blair, The Telegraph
Can the 'Bolivarian Socialist Revolution' outlive its leader? -- The Telegraph editorial
After Chávez's funeral, who gets Venezuela's poisoned chalice? -- Rory Carroll, The Guardian
Hugo Chavez: Venezuelan President Leaves A Mixed Legacy -- Andrew O'Reilly, FOX News Latino
Postscript: Hugo Chávez, 1954-2013 -- Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker
Chavez's death opens door to Venezuela's oil riches -- Nathan Vanderklippe, Globe and Mail
Chavez Death ‘Fundamental Change’ for Region, Farnsworth Says -- Bloomberg
Chavez used force of personality to win votes, influence leaders -- Simon Hooper, special for CNN
In the End, an Awful Manager -- Rory Carroll, New York Times