Hugo Chavez dead of Cancer at 58

Sad News, even if the man was a sworn communist:

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President , the fiery populist who declared a socialist revolution in Venezuela, crusaded against U.S. influence and championed a leftist revival across Latin America, died Tuesday at age 58 after a nearly two-year bout with cancer.

Vice President Nicolas Maduro, surrounded by other government officials, announced the death in a national television broadcast. He said Chavez died at 4:25 p.m. local time.

via News from The Associated Press.

He leaves behind two daughters and a wife. My condolences to his family. I will say one thing; as mach as I disagreed with the man’s politics, I did admire the fact that he stood for what he believed in, and was willing to take it to his grave.

May he rest in peace.

Update: Now a Memeorandum Thread.