Changes

==Religious views==

==Religious views==

Though Chavez claimed to be a devout Catholic, he has had public disputes with the Church before. Chavez demanded that [[Pope Benedict]] apologize for saying the Roman Catholic Church purified Indians in Latin America. Chavez called the treatment of Indians after [[Christopher Columbus]] landed in 1492 a "holocaust".<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSN1819661120070519 Chavez demands Pope apologize for Indian comments], [[Reuters]], May 19, 2007</ref> In addition, he denounced Catholic leaders, claiming they "cared more about the rich than the poor". After his condition continued to deteriorate due to cancer, Chavez became more overtly religious, calling on God to help him.<ref>http://www.christianpost.com/news/the-significance-of-hugo-chavezs-death-and-faith-91410/</ref>

Though Chavez claimed to be a devout Catholic, he has had public disputes with the Church before. Chavez demanded that [[Pope Benedict]] apologize for saying the Roman Catholic Church purified Indians in Latin America. Chavez called the treatment of Indians after [[Christopher Columbus]] landed in 1492 a "holocaust".<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSN1819661120070519 Chavez demands Pope apologize for Indian comments], [[Reuters]], May 19, 2007</ref> In addition, he denounced Catholic leaders, claiming they "cared more about the rich than the poor". After his condition continued to deteriorate due to cancer, Chavez became more overtly religious, calling on God to help him.<ref>http://www.christianpost.com/news/the-significance-of-hugo-chavezs-death-and-faith-91410/</ref>

==2011–2012 Health Crisis and subsequent cover-up and Constitutional Crisis==

==2011–2012 Health Crisis and subsequent cover-up and Constitutional Crisis==

On June 30, 2011, the 56-year-old President admitted, in a televised speech, to having cancer.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-13991906]</ref> He sought treatment, to no avail, in Brazil.<ref>http://latindispatch.com/2011/07/14/hugo-chavez-to-receive-cancer-treatment-in-brazil/</ref>

On June 30, 2011, the 56-year-old President admitted, in a televised speech, to having cancer.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-13991906]</ref> He sought treatment, to no avail, in Brazil.<ref>http://latindispatch.com/2011/07/14/hugo-chavez-to-receive-cancer-treatment-in-brazil/</ref>

Despite being aware of his condition, Chavez chose to run again for President. On October 7, 2012, a terminally ill Chávez won election as president for a fourth time, defeating Henrique Capriles.<ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/08/venezuela-election-idUSL1E8L70WK20121008</ref>

Despite being aware of his condition, Chavez chose to run again for President. On October 7, 2012, a terminally ill Chávez won election as president for a fourth time, defeating Henrique Capriles.<ref>https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/08/venezuela-election-idUSL1E8L70WK20121008</ref>

Chavez was not seen since December 11, 2012, the last time he appeared in public, when he was admitted to a hospital in Cuba. He may have died on this date or shortly afterward. However, the Cuban and Venezuelan Communists attempted to keep his death secret, and pretended he was alive for another two and a half months, going as far as using his [[Twitter]] account to post fake messages from a supposedly recovering Chavez.

Chavez was not seen since December 11, 2012, the last time he appeared in public, when he was admitted to a hospital in Cuba. He may have died on this date or shortly afterward. However, the Cuban and Venezuelan Communists attempted to keep his death secret, and pretended he was alive for another two and a half months, going as far as using his [[Twitter]] account to post fake messages from a supposedly recovering Chavez.

Around the time that Hugo Chavez passed away, reports surfaced that he had amassed a personal wealth of over a billion dollars.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2289427/Was-Hugo-Chavez-worth-1bn-died-Claims-amassed-huge-fortune-countrys-oil-wealth.html#ixzz3kOYeG7al Was Chavez worth over $1bn when he died? Intelligence analyst claims he amassed huge fortune from country's oil wealth], [[Daily Mail]]</ref>  Some reports put his personal wealth at $2 billion.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/venezuela/9993238/Venezuela-the-wealth-of-Chavez-family-exposed.html Venezuela: the wealth of Chavez family exposed], [[Daily Telegraph]]</ref>

Around the time that Hugo Chavez passed away, reports surfaced that he had amassed a personal wealth of over a billion dollars.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2289427/Was-Hugo-Chavez-worth-1bn-died-Claims-amassed-huge-fortune-countrys-oil-wealth.html#ixzz3kOYeG7al Was Chavez worth over $1bn when he died? Intelligence analyst claims he amassed huge fortune from country's oil wealth], [[Daily Mail]]</ref>  Some reports put his personal wealth at $2 billion.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/venezuela/9993238/Venezuela-the-wealth-of-Chavez-family-exposed.html Venezuela: the wealth of Chavez family exposed], [[Daily Telegraph]]</ref>

New reports have come out detailing his daughter's wealth.  María Gabriela is reported to be a billionaire, worth over $4 billion,<ref>[http://dailycaller.com/2015/08/10/iron-fisted-socialism-benefited-hugo-chavezs-daughter-to-the-tune-of-billions-reports-say/ Iron-Fisted Socialism Benefited Hugo Chavez’s Daughter To The Tune Of BILLIONS, Reports Say] [[Daily Caller]]</ref> which would make her the richest person in [[Venezuela]].<ref>[http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2015/08/10/hugo-chavez-daughter-is-richest-individual-in-venezuela-report-claims/ Hugo Chávez daughter is the richest individual in Venezuela, report claims], [[Fox News]]</ref>

New reports have come out detailing his daughter's wealth.  María Gabriela is reported to be a billionaire, worth over $4 billion,<ref>[https://dailycaller.com/2015/08/10/iron-fisted-socialism-benefited-hugo-chavezs-daughter-to-the-tune-of-billions-reports-say/ Iron-Fisted Socialism Benefited Hugo Chavez’s Daughter To The Tune Of BILLIONS, Reports Say] [[Daily Caller]]</ref> which would make her the richest person in [[Venezuela]].<ref>[http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2015/08/10/hugo-chavez-daughter-is-richest-individual-in-venezuela-report-claims/ Hugo Chávez daughter is the richest individual in Venezuela, report claims], [[Fox News]]</ref>

Socialist dictators are known for ransacking the people they claim to support.  [[Muammar al-Gaddafi]] was one of the richest people in the world when he died.  Neither Gaddafi nor Chavez did anything in their lives that would have earned them this kind of wealth.

Socialist dictators are known for ransacking the people they claim to support.  [[Muammar al-Gaddafi]] was one of the richest people in the world when he died.  Neither Gaddafi nor Chavez did anything in their lives that would have earned them this kind of wealth.