Hugo Chávez, president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela from 1999 until his death on 5 March 2013 at age 58, passed away on Wednesday of undisclosed causes. A career soldier, he was first elected president of Venezuela in 1998, and reelected three times. Chávez left a lasting impact on the nation's economic and political landscape, implementing policies that reduced poverty in the country. His administration also built thousands of social housing units, opened dozens of new health clinics, and established a variety of scholarship programs. He sought solidarity among Latin American nations, pursuing closer ties with Cuba and other Latin American countries. Though his policies were divisive at times, Chávez's legacy will continue to be felt in Venezuela and beyond.