Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez Has Died

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez Has Died, Vice President Says

by Eyder Peralta
NPR News

Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez, has died, Vice President Nicolás Maduro announced in a televised statement.

Chávez died at a military hospital in Caracas at 4:25 p.m. Tuesday. He was 58.

In power since 1999, the former military commander became an icon of socialist policies in Latin America. With his country's oil wealth as backup, he launched fierce and unyielding criticism of the United States and its allies.

The AP reports:

"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."

Chávez was battling cancer when he won a tough reelection campaign last year.

As we reported earlier, Maduro called a meeting of top Venezuelan politicians today and he asked the country to keep working, despite Chavez's ailment.

Maduro said history would judge Chávez as a "new liberator."

"That's what Chávez means to us and to our history; our Chávez is the 21st Century liberator," Maduro said during a press briefing.

During the press conference where Maduro announced Chávez's death, the vice president's voice cracked.

"It's a moment of deep pain," he said. He asked the country for "peace and tranquility" and asked Chávez's foes, who had questioned whether he should be considered president because he was never formally inaugurated, to show "respect."

"We are heirs and sons of a giant," Maduro said.

The press conference ended with Maduro lifting his fist and saying, "Honor and glory to our commander Hugo Chávez."

TeleSur is broadcasting live from Venezuela.

This is a breaking news story, we'll have more as it develops.

Update at 7:37 p.m. ET. More From Miami:

NPR member station WLRN is Storifying coverage of Miami. Among their highlights, a report from the Miami Herald's Manny Navarro. He reports that the Miami Marlins are playing Venezuela tonight and there will be "no moment of silence for Hugo Chávez tonight... in Jupiter. Flag at full staff too."

Update at 7:29 p.m. ET. Capriles Calls For Unity:

Henrique Capriles, who ran against Chavez last year, said he was in solidarity with the family and supporters of Chávez.

"In tough moments, we need to show our deep love and respect for our Venezuela! The Venezuelan family is united," he tweeted.

Update at 7:08 p.m. ET. Celebration In Miami:

The Miami suburb of Doral, which has the largest concentration of Venezuelans in the United States, is seeing celebration.

NBC 6 reported from a Venezuelan restaurant in Doral, where people were celebrating by waving Venezuelan flags and singing the national anthem.

"We're not celebrating the death of anything," one patron said. "We're celebrating a new beginning for Venezuela."

NBC6 is streaming their live coverage.

Update at 6:39 p.m. U.S. Supports Venezuelan People:

The White House just sent out this statement:

"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. 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."

Update at 6:17 p.m. ET. Reaction In Caracas:

The BBC's Irene Caselli reports from Caracas that reaction to Chávez's death has been "mixed."

"Fireworks have been let off in celebration in an anti-Chavez part of the city, she says, but many of the president's supporters have been crying and praying at the hospital where we was being treated," the BBC reports.

Television images showed many people on the streets looking somber. El Universal posted video of Chávez supporters at Plaza Bolívar. The video shows them chanting, "We are all Chávez."

Marconius wrote:

Pretty well sums up my reaction!

Must be the way Israel's neighbors felt when King Herod died. Be interesting to see what happens now.

Wuts crazy is that in a moment of precognition, i just thought two days ago, "you know who has been heard from lately? Chavez. Wonder if hes still even alive anymore?"

Thats happened to me before too. I heard today from a friend that they'd read that Venezuelans are stocking up on food supplies. Kinda like they are expecting a civil war or something.

Dennis324 wrote:Thats happened to me before too. I heard today from a friend that they'd read that Venezuelans are stocking up on food supplies. Kinda like they are expecting a civil war or something.

Well, if you believe what you read on some news reports, they're all expecting the americans to invade and take over....

It's being reported that Hugo Chavez's last words were 'Please don't let me die' - an entreaty uttered because, the government said, he so desperately wanted to continue serving the Venezuelan people.

Please they said he hadnt even been talking for weeks.

Yep. Eh, thats what the Telegraph in London said. I think the report said he could baaaarely whisper. I dunno.

Dennis324 wrote:It's being reported that Hugo Chavez's last words were 'Please don't let me die' - an entreaty uttered because, the government said, he so desperately wanted to continue serving the Venezuelan people.

Or, perhaps, because he didn't want to die....

Maybe he was worried about what would happen to him when he did?