Politics & Government

Photos: Hugo Chávez, from military commander to the people’s president

Venezuela’s president, Hugo Chavez, died Tuesday following his long struggle with cancer.
Venezuela’s president, Hugo Chavez, died Tuesday following his long struggle with cancer.
Image: AP Photo/Juan Karita
By
Claudia Bracholdt
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Hugo Chávez, the Venezuelan president who had battled with cancer for almost two years, died on Tuesday at age 58. Information released in the past few days had revealed the severity of Chávez’s condition, which led to thousands of Venezuelans praying for their president’s health.

These photos capture Chávez as he became Venezuela’s president overnight in 1999. Seven years before, Chávez had tried to overthrow the Venezuelan government—and failed. Until the end, Chávez remained positive with “trust” in Jesus and his people.

Hugo Chavez arrested
Venezuelan General Hugo Chávez walks escorted by military intelligence officers after being arrested for trying to overthrow Venezuela’s government on Feb. 5, 1992.
Image: AP Photo/Andres Leighton
Hugo Chavez
Paratroop commander Hugo Chávez talks to reporters at the Venezuelan Defense Ministry after he surrendered in Valencia to troops loyal to the government of Carlos Andres Perez, in February 1992.
Image: AP Photo/Ali Gomez
Hugo Chavez speaks to people gathered at the Plaza Caracas on Feb. 4, 1998 in Caracas, Venezuela during celebrations for the anniverary of the 1992 coup.
Chavez speaks to people gathered at the Plaza Caracas on Feb. 4, 1998 in Caracas, Venezuela during celebrations for the anniverary of the 1992 coup.
Image: AP Photo/Jorge Santo
Chavez waves to the crowd after announcing his cadidacy for the presidency in downtown Caracas Plaza, Tuesday, July 29, 1997.
Chávez waves to the crowd after announcing his cadidacy for the presidency in downtown Caracas Plaza, Tuesday, July 29, 1997. Analysts said his chances of winning the Dec. 1998 race were slim but they were wrong.
Image: AP Photo/Jose Caruci
Chavez became front runner in the 1998 presidential election. In this photo, Chavez, left, throws a pitch during a baseball game between local artists at the university stadium in Caracas, Venezuela, Oct. 4, 1998.
In this photo, Chávez throws a pitch during a baseball game between local artists at the university stadium in Caracas, Venezuela, Oct. 4, 1998.
Image: AP Photo/Jose Caruci
Hugo Chavez, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President Hugo Chavez, right, talks with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, left, during the closing ceremony of OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 18, 2007.
Image: AP Photo/Hasan Sarbakhshian
Chavez shows Libya's President Muammar Gaddafi a replica of Venezuelan Independence hero Simon Bolivar's sword after giving it as a gift to Gaddafi in Porlamar, Margarita Island, on Sept. 28, 2009. Chavez decorated Gaddafi with the Simon Bolivar Order.
Chavez shows Libya’s President Muammar Gaddafi a replica of Venezuelan independence hero Simon Bolivar’s sword, after giving it as a gift to Gaddafi in Porlamar, Margarita Island, on Sept. 28, 2009.
Image: AP Photo/Fernando Llano
Hugo Chavez waves to the crowd while riding atop a truck upon his arrival to the elections office in Caracas, on June 11, 2012. Chavez rallied thousands of his supporters wearing his signature red beret and blowing kisses to the crowd as he formalized his presidential candidacy and launched his re-election bid.
Chavez rallied thousands of his supporters wearing his signature red beret and blowing kisses to the crowd as he formalized his presidential candidacy and launched his re-election bid on June 11, 2012.
Image: AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos
In this Dec. 8, 2012 file photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, speaks beside his Vice President Nicolas Maduro during a televised speech form his office at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela. Chavez revealed that his cancer had returned for a second time. Facing his fourth cancer surgery in 18 months, he named Maduro as his possible successor.
In this Dec. 8, 2012 file photo released by Miraflores Press Office, beside his Vice President, Nicolas Maduro, Chávez revealed during a televised speech that his cancer had returned for a second time. Facing his fourth cancer surgery in 18 months, he named Maduro as his possible successor.
Image: AP Photo / Miraflores Press Office, Marcelo Garcia
This photo went around the world: It was released by the presidential press office and shows Hugo Chavez with his daughters, Maria Gabriela, left, and Rosa Virginia at an unknown location in Havana, Cuba, where Chavez was treated for his cancer.
This photo seen round the world was released by the presidential press office showing Chavez with his daughters, Maria Gabriela, left, and Rosa Virginia at an unknown location in Havana, Cuba, where Chávez was treated for his cancer in February 2013.
Image: AP Photo/Miraflores Presidential Press Office
People hold up candles and images of Hugo Chavez during candlelight vigil to pray for his health as he remained in a hospital undergoing cancer treatment on Feb. 22, 2013. The government did not give details about the treatment Chavez was undergoing, and didn't identify the type or exact location of the tumors that had been removed from his pelvic region.
People hold up candles and images of Chávez during candlelight vigil to pray for his health while he remained in a hospital undergoing cancer treatment on Feb. 22, 2013. The government did not give details about the treatment Chávez was undergoing, and didn’t identify the type or exact location of the tumors that had been removed from his pelvic region.
Image: AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos
A woman holds a candle along with a poster of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez at a candlelight vigil to pray for his health on Feb. 22, 2013.
A woman holds a candle along with a poster of President Chavez at a candlelight vigil to pray for his health on Feb. 22, 2013. Chávez’s condition had remained secret, leading to protests and rumors about whether he was alive or not.
Image: AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos
A supporter of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez cries as she learns that Chavez has died on March 5.
A supporter of Venezuela’s President, Hugo Chávez, cries as she learns of his death on Tuesday, March 5.
Image: AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos