Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is dead. Vice President Nicolas Maduro, who will assume the Presidency, made the announcement on Venezuelan television.
Nicolas Maduro, a 50-year-old former bus driver hand-picked by Chavez, announced his boss' death shortly after addressing the public regarding Chavez' failing health.
Hugo Chavez had been battling cancer for almost two years, undergoing surgery in December 2012. Chavez has led Venezuela since 1999.
Of course, conspiracy theories are already emerging that the CIA was involved in Hugo Chavez' death. A complicated figure on the world stage, Chavez was a vocal opponent of American influence in Latin America.
Twitter reactions to Hugo Chavez' death
Below are some tweets responding to the news that Hugo Chavez has died, geolocated within 60 miles of the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. As you can see, he had his vocal supporters as well as detractors. (The geolocation means that you'll have to work a bit harder if you don't speak Spanish, but you also get to skip the Twitter commentary from people who can't find Venezuela on a map. A fair trade.)
"@paaaater: El último horrocrux: Chavéz." No valeeeee jajajajajaajjaa ("The last Horcrux Chavez." Not worth it hahahaha)
— Sofia Hernández (@Sofcarv) March 5, 2013
Ignorantes celebrando la muerte de Chavez respeten que el era un ser humano igual que todos.
— Genesis Alvarado ♥ (@alvaradogene) March 5, 2013
(Ignorant people celebrating the death of Chavez [:] respect that he was human just like everyone)
Venezuela sigue unidad y con mas fortaleza , vendran tiempos mejores.
— elvis humbria triviñ (@elvisht2) March 5, 2013
(Venezuela continues united and with more strength, towards better times)
Guys hour 8, there's no class tonight
— Juan Arvelo (@jcarvelo18) March 5, 2013
Ahora más q nunca rodillas n tierra con sta revolución.T amo comandant y aquí stamos los hijos d bolivar para continuar construyndo patria
— jose sandoval (@JoseRsandovalP) March 5, 2013
(Now more then ever knees on the ground with this revolution. I love you commander, and here are the children of Bolivar to continue building the country)
Hoy #Venezuela vuelve hacer noticia en el mundo #MurioElPresidenteChavez Dios tuvo la ultima palabra, ahora a trabajar duro por el cambio! (
— marielarevilla (@marielarevilla) March 5, 2013
(God had the last word, and now to work hard for change)
Y así se demuestra la hipocresía. (And so the hypocrisy shows.)
— Oriana Hernandez (@Oriana_Nazareth) March 5, 2013
Se nota la sosobra! Y la espectativa... Paz para mi pais.. Amen..
— Rossi Margoth Suárez (@RossiMargothS) March 5, 2013
(See the anxiety and the expectation. Peace for my country. Amen.)
Personas que nunca se interesaron por la política ahora son Licenciados en Derecho.
— Sneyder Expósito (@Sneyderfap) March 5, 2013
(People never interested in politics now have law degrees)
