Following an almost Fidel Castro-like reign of 14 years, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez died after a 14 years long reign in Venezuela on March 5, 2013. He had won a fourth term on October 7, extending his presidency to 2019, but cancer cut him off.
His funeral is being held today, but his final resting place will not be a cemetery. He will be on public view for everyone to see. The Venezuelan strongman will be embalmed, like Lenin and Mao Zedong. His remains are being laid to rest at a military museum where generations of Venezuelans can theoretically visit.
Cuba's new strongman Raul Castro, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos are some of the leaders already in Venezuela. About 50 different countries sent delegates for the funeral, according to government officials.
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías was the President of Venezuela from 1999 until his death in 2013. He was also the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party since its inception in 1997. Chávez's legacy, and the damage he left behind, will not be easily undone.