World Leaders Comment on the Death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez

Yesterday, media outlets around the world reported the death of long time Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. According to the reports, Hugo Chavez died Tuesday from a lengthy battle with cancer.

Reactions to the news were mixed across the world, ranging from sadness, to anger and even celebration by some. CNN reported the reactions of a number of political leaders around the globe, we have posted a few of them below.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon said in a statement, “President Chavez spoke to the challenges and aspirations of the most vulnerable Venezuelans. He provided decisive impetus for new regional integration movements, based on an eminently Latin American vision, while showing solidarity toward other nations in the hemisphere. His contribution to the current peace talks in Colombia between the Government of President Juan Manuel Santos and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has been of vital importance.” He went on to say, “The secretary-general renews the commitment of the United Nations to work alongside the Government and the people of Venezuela in support of its development and prosperity.”

In the United States, President Barack Obama had this to say about the death of Chavez, “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.”