Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez dies at 58 after battle with cancer

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has died, the nation's vice president, Nicolas Maduro, announced this night. The 58 year old socialist leader died after battling with cancer for almost two years. He hadn't made a public appearance since his return to Venezuela last month after cancer treatment in Cuba.

One of the most visible, vocal and controversial leaders in Latin America, the former army paratrooper won the presidency in 1998 and had most recently won another six-year presidential term in October 2012.
However, in December 2012, he announced he needed further cancer surgery in Cuba, and named his Vice-President, Nicolas Maduro, as his preferred successor should the need arise.May his soul rest in peace..