Hugo Chávez Death

President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela has died of cancer at age 58 as Vice President Nicolás Maduro is sworn in as the South American nation's interim president.

"We, your civilian and military companions, Commander Hugo Chávez, assume your legacy, your challenges, your project, accompanied by and with the support of the people," said Maduro as the mourning nation wept.

The late Hugo Chávez dominated Venezuela's political landscape for 14 years as a socialist revolutionary who thumbed his nose at the United States while becoming wealthy from massive oil sales to America.

As dictated by the Venezuelan constitution, a new presidential election will take place within 30 days.

President Chávez's new term began two months ago, though he had already known for 20 months that he was dying of cancer.  The death of Hugo Chávez has caused mixed reactions, as expected.