On Tuesday, Vice President Nicolas Maduro confirmed that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has died.
For days, rumors persisted that the 58-year-old leader was in poor health and preparing for his imminent passing.
On March 1st, ABC news reported that Chavez had been recently moved to a residence at a military base at La Orchila island where he was joined by family and a team of private physicians who remained at his bedside until his passing today.
“Mr. Chávez changed Venezuela in fundamental ways, empowering and energizing millions of poor people who had felt marginalized and excluded,” says William Neuman of The New York Times. “But Mr. Chávez’s rule also widened society’s divisions. His death is sure to bring more changes and vast uncertainty as the nation tries to find its way without its central figure.”
While the world will long debate the late president’s political impact on the world, one fact is certain: Chavez was the second most “social” world leader.
When it comes to Twitter followers, US President Barack Obama leads the global popularity contest with 25 million followers. But Hugo Chavez was the second most followed head of state, with over 4 million followers.
Chavez last updated his official Twitter account February 18th.
