Nations mourn Hugo Chavez

The death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has inspired many tributes and expressions of hope for the Venezuelan people. Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro paid a tearful tribute to Chavez, as a "true patriot" and leader of the Bolivarian Revolution.

One of Chavez's closest allies, Bolivian President Evo Morales, said in a teary speech on March 5 that Chavez will continue to be an inspiration for people who fight for their liberation. He said "Chavez is more alive than ever." Another close ally, Cuba, declared two days of mourning with flags flown at half-staff. A statement from the government said the Cuban people considered him one of their "most outstanding sons."

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez declared three days of mourning in Argentina. She is expected to travel to Venezuela for Chavez's funeral, as is Uruguayan President Jose Mujica. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega vowed to carry on the legacy of Chavez. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad offered his condolences and said he may attend Chavez's funeral on March 8. China called Chavez "a great leader and great friend of the Chinese people."

At the U.N., Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon offered condolences to the people of Venezuela.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua has declared seven days of national mourning. Chavez will lie in state at a military academy before his exequies. The 58-year-old Chavez had been treated in Cuba for cancer before returning to Caracas last month. Following his treatment there, Chavez contracted a severe infection after chemotherapy in a Caracas military hospital. He had last been seen in public in December, missing his inauguration in January for another term as president. Maduro accused Venezuela's enemies of being the source of the pelvic cancer that killed Chavez. He did not explain how this could be possible. Also on March 5, Venezuela expelled two American diplomats for allegedly plotting to overthrow the destabilize the government. One of two Americans was the Air Force attache.

The secretary general of the Organization of American States, Jose Miguel Insulza, sent his condolences to the Venezuelan people, calling this a time of great sorrow. The OAS will hold a special meeting in memory of President Chavez.

The Obama administration, often the target of Chavez's criticism, was cautious in its response, releasing a statement expressing support for the Venezuelan people and interest in "developing a constructive relationship with the Venezuelan government." During the George W. Bush administration, Venezuela accused the U.S. of direct involvement in a coup against the government.

In the largely Venezuelan community of Doral in the Florida city of Miami, nonetheless, many people who left Venezuela while Chavez was in power took to the streets to celebrate his passing. Some expressed hope that the problems they left behind - crime, corruption, and a poor economy - would finally begin to improve.