Hugo Chavez, the President of Venezuela, is dead. He was 58.

The dictator had been battling cancer and was operated on in early December, but had several complications including a respiratory infection. The announcement was made by his Vice President, Nicolas Maduro.

Chavez was elected president of the South American country in 1999, and quickly allied himself as an opponent of the United States. In a show of anger and dissension, he once even referred to former President George W. Bush as the devil during a meeting of the United Nations.

As of now, there is no one to lead Venezuela, forcing the country to hold new elections. Chavez had been reelected to the position in October, but was quickly removed for health reasons. He had previously won elections in 2000, and 2006.

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