go Rafael Chavez FrIas (28 July 1954 — 5 March 2013) was the President of Venezuela from 1999 until his death in 2013. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political EFTA00652576 party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when it merged with several other parties to form the United Socialist Party

After his release, Mr. Chavez went on a 100-day tour of Venezuela, weaving together a broad coalition of support. After founding a political party, the Fifth Republic Movement, he ran for president in 1998 at a time of intense dissatisfaction with Venezuela's political elite. He easily defeated Henrique Salas Romer, a Yal