Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez died today after battling cancer for nearly two years.
The
fiery socialist leader, who was 58, had crusaded against U.S. influence and championed
a leftist revival across Latin America.
Chavez,
who led the oil-rich country for 14 years, polarised Venezuelans but was also a
masterful strategist who won huge support from the poor.
He
easily won a new six-year term at an election in October and his death will
devastate millions of supporters who adored his charisma, anti-US rhetoric and
social programs.
He
used his country's oil wealth to launch state-run food markets, new public
housing, free health clinics and education programs.
