Comandante Hugo Chavez

Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias was born on July 28, 1954 in a working-class family in Sabaneta, Barinas in south-east Venezuela. In 1874 he graduated from Venezuelan Academy of Military Services in Caracas. He served in the airborne forces. The red beret has then become an inseparable part of his image.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (L) in a 1992 file photo in jail after being arrested for a coup attempt. ©REUTERS/str/File photo REUTERS

©REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro (L) and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. ©REUTERS/Revolution Studios/Cubadebate/Handout

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez kisses a crucifix as he speaks during a national broadcast at Miraflores Palace in Caracas. ©REUTERS/Miraflores Palace/Handout

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (L) is welcomed by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (R) at Miraflores Palace in Caracas. ©REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez shows the pistols of independence hero Simon Bolivar during a ceremony to mark his birthday in Caracas. ©REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez runs between second and third base during a friendly softball game. ©REUTERS/Jorge Silva

REUTERS/Jorge Silva©

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez welcomes Argentinean soccer coach Diego Maradona. ©REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (C) sings during an election rally in Caracas. ©REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (C) is greeted by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi (R) upon his arrival in Tripoli. ©REUTERS/Miraflores Palace/Handout

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez hugs his daughters Rosa (L) and Maria while appearing to supporters on a balcony of Miraflores Palace soon after his return to the country from Cuba, where he underwent surgery and treatment for cancer. ©REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez plays a guitar, which was a gift from Mexican singer Vicente Fernandez, during a cabinet meeting at Miraflores Palace in Caracas. ©REUTERS/Miraflores Palace

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (R) drives his vehicle as U.S actor Sean Penn sits in the back. ©REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez (3rd R) celebrates the birthday of his daughter Maria Gabriela (C) with his family in La Habana. ©REUTERS/Handout/Miraflores Palace

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (L) and his daughter Rosa get off the plane as they arrive from Cuba, at Simon Bolivar airport in Caracas. ©REUTERS/Miraflores Palace/Handout

Supporters of Hugo Chavez in the streets of Caracas, Venezuela. ©REUTERS/Gil Montano©

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez smiles in between his daughters, Rosa Virginia (R) and Maria while recovering from cancer surgery in Havana. ©REUTERS/Ministry of Information/Handout

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez smiles in between his daughters, Rosa Virginia (R) and Maria while recovering from cancer surgery in Havana. ©REUTERS/Ministry of Information/Handout

©REUTERS/Alejandro Rustom

Twitter of Maria Gabriela, daughter of Hugo Chavez