Venezuelan President and controversial leader Hugo Chavez died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer, according to an announcement by the Venezuelan government.
Chavez, 58, was very active on Twitter. His official account has more than 4 million followers and he used to tweet regularly before the last few months of his life. His very last tweet, sent on Feb. 18 after a Twitter hiatus of almost three months, was a hopeful one:
"I'm still clinging to Christ and and I trust my doctors and nurses. Onward to victory!! We will live and we will win!!!" he tweeted in Spanish.
Sigo aferrado a Cristo y confiado en mis médicos y enfermeras. Hasta la victoria siempre!! Viviremos y venceremos!!!— Hugo Chávez Frías (@chavezcandanga) February 18, 2013
Chavez, who had been at the helm of the South-American country for 14 years, was internationally known for his socialist views, his populism, and his exuberant persona. He was often divisive and critical towards the United States in particular. He used to call President George W. Bush "Mr. Danger" or "drunk," and he also called President Obama a "clown."
Even on Twitter, Chavez often distinguished himself from other international leaders with his unabashed messages hailing the socialist revolution and himself.
After his death, reactions on Twitter ranged from elation to sadness, depending on the political views of the users.
#chavez so happy another dictator surrendered for the nature... :-)— Bear's Prince (@Qckshad) March 5, 2013
I know several Venezuelan Americans who must be very, very happy right now. Goodbye & good riddance, Hugo Chavez.— Austin Barimo (@austinGatorUCF) March 5, 2013
Incredibly sad news Hugo Chavez passed away. A true fighter. His legacy of socialism & working class liberation in Venezuela will live on.— Shelly Asquith (@ShellyAsquith) March 5, 2013
Sad news tonight regarding #Chávez - the man who lifted millions out of poverty and a continent off its knees #HastaSiempreComandante— Chris Hazzard (@ChrisHazzardSF) March 5, 2013
As for official responses, several world leaders, especially from South and Central America, used Twitter to express their condolences. Enrique Peña Nieto, Mexico's president, tweeted: "I'm sorry for the death of President Hugo Chavez. My most heartfelt condolences to his family and to the Venezuelan people."
Lamento el fallecimiento del Presidente Hugo Chávez. Mis más sentidas condolencias a su familia y al pueblo venezolano.— Enrique Peña Nieto (@EPN) March 5, 2013
Ricardo Martinelli, Panama's president, shared his grief on Twitter as well. "We wish to express our condolence to the Venezuelan People and Chavez's family for the death of President Hugo Chavez F."
Deseamos expresarle nuestro pésame al Pueblo Venezolano y a la Familia Chavez por el sensible fallecimiento del Presidente Hugo Chavez F— Ricardo Martinelli (@rmartinelli) March 5, 2013
Most Western leaders have yet to comment on social media. So far, Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper is one of the few who has used Twitter to share his views on Chavez's death.
My statement on the death of Hugo Chavez ow.ly/ipwUv— Stephen Harper (@pmharper) March 5, 2013
As for an American response, President Obama's Twitter account is silent thus far, although the President did release a statement:
"At this challenging time of President Hugo Chavez’s passing, the United States reaffirms its support for the Venezuelan people and its interest in developing a constructive relationship with the Venezuelan government. As Venezuela begins a new chapter in its history, the United States remains committed to policies that promote democratic principles, the rule of law, and respect for human rights."
The closest thing to an official American response on Twitter came from a few members of Congress and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Philip J. Crowley.
The Venezuelan people are entitled to free/fair elections ASAP so that they can begin to turn the corner on the dark legacy that was Chavez.— Connie Mack (@ConnieMackIV) March 5, 2013
The region will be less colorful without @chavezcandanga, but #Venezuela now has a chance to reemerge as a constructive hemispheric actor.— Philip J. Crowley (@PJCrowley) March 5, 2013