Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dead at 58
- 11 years ago
He's one of the most compelling leaders of the 21rst century.
Charismatic and controversial, Venezuelans voted him president four times.
Hugo Chavez burst onto the national stage as a paratrooper who led a daring coup against then president President Carlos Perez.
The coup was a failure and he spent time in prison, Chavez rose to assume Venezuela's highest office in 1998. It would be a first glimpse at the resilience that would become one of his most defining characteristics. demonstrating the sort of resilience that would be a recurring theme throughout his life.
Politically, he was a socialist. In office, he nationalized major sections of the economy. While his critics accused of him of squandering the country's oil related wealth. His populist message resonated with many of the country's poor.
Their loyalty to him would play a critical role when he was overthrown by a coup during his first term. Within 48 hours, his supporters and his former s
Charismatic and controversial, Venezuelans voted him president four times.
Hugo Chavez burst onto the national stage as a paratrooper who led a daring coup against then president President Carlos Perez.
The coup was a failure and he spent time in prison, Chavez rose to assume Venezuela's highest office in 1998. It would be a first glimpse at the resilience that would become one of his most defining characteristics. demonstrating the sort of resilience that would be a recurring theme throughout his life.
Politically, he was a socialist. In office, he nationalized major sections of the economy. While his critics accused of him of squandering the country's oil related wealth. His populist message resonated with many of the country's poor.
Their loyalty to him would play a critical role when he was overthrown by a coup during his first term. Within 48 hours, his supporters and his former s