today venezuelan president hugo chavez will be laid to rest. i shed tears after learning the socialist leader lost his battle with cancer on tuesday, march 5, 2012. after nationalizing venezuela’s oil supply and speaking openly against western imperialism, chavez was hated by many leaders in the west. however, he was adored by the masses of poor venezuelans due to his massive social and economic programs aimed at lifting the most disenfranchised out of poverty. progressive leaders throughout latin america will feel the effects of chavez’s death–its as if the underdogs lost their star quarterback.
rest in power brother hugo. you served your people well.
*images via the associated press