In 1998, Hugo Chavez was himself elected president after promising to end poverty and corruption.
To help finance social programs, he nationalized, or seized control of, major businesses, including oil companies. Millions of Venezuelans loved him for using the country's oil wealth to provide low-cost food, free medical care and other programs. However, the United States and much of Latin America criticized President Chavez for his social policies and for nationalizing companies.
Observers are wondering what will happen to relations between Venezuela and the United States. After the Venezuelan leader's death, President Obama said the United States was re-confirming its support for the Venezuelan people.
