Courtesy of: Associated Press

This week: Nicolás Maduro announced Tuesday that President Hugo Chávez had succumbed to cancer, leaving behind a sharply divided country; with Chávez’s passing and subsequent funeral comes the question of his contradictory legacy, highlighted by his socialist policies; undoubtedly, Chávez will be remembered as a leader who transformed and shaped Venezuela; as Venezuela adjusts and evaluates its economy under Chávez, it becomes clear that his socialist agenda fell short of his promises; and like other socialist leaders, Chávez will be embalmed and put on permanent display inside a military museum. With Chávez’s death and upcoming elections, Venezuela’s interim leader Maduro is thrust into the spotlight; with Chávez gone, the U.S. reacts cautiously, weighing the prospects for a diplomatic thaw; a transition in Venezuela opens the path for eventual investment and expertise opportunities from oil companies; and Cuba mourns Chávez’s passing, while worrying about what the future may hold for the Cuba-Venezuela relationship. Finally, concern emerges over armed Chávez supporters poised to defend the revolution; the Venezuelan government plans to expel a U.S. Embassy official for allegedly meeting with military officers and planning to “destabilize the country”; Brayan Villarreal, a pitcher for the Detroit Lions, says his family was attacked in their home near Caracas; and the homicide rate in Venezuela between January and February reveals escalating violence in the country.

Chávez Dies, Leaving Sharp Divisions in Venezuela, The New York Times

President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela died Tuesday afternoon after a struggle with cancer, the government announced, leaving behind a bitterly divided nation in the grip of a political crisis that grew more acute as he languished for weeks, silent and out of sight, in hospitals in Havana and Caracas.

On Eve of His Funeral, Debating Chávez’s Legacy, The New York Times

Heads of state from around Latin America flocked to Venezuela for the funeral on Friday of Hugo Chávez, a tribute to the undiminished drawing power of the charismatic leftist leader, although perhaps not to the lasting influence of his socialist-inspired policies.

Obituary: Hugo Chavez – socialist showman who transformed Venezuela, Reuters

At two defining moments of his rule, Venezuela’s theatrical leader Hugo Chavez took a small silver crucifix from his pocket and held it above his head.

Venezuela’s Economy Under Chavez, by the Numbers, The Wall Street Journal

Many Venezuelans, mainly among the poor, are intensely mourning the passing Tuesday of President Hugo Chávez, whom they viewed as their “champion”, a father figure who after 14 years in power is taking on near saint-like meaning for them.

Like Lenin and Mao, Hugo Chavez’s embalmed body to be put on permanent display in Venezuela, Washington Post

Vladimir Lenin, Mao Zedong, Ho Chi Minh, and now Hugo Chavez.

Venezuela’s interim leader thrust into spotlight, CNN

He began his career as a bus driver in Caracas, and then rose through the ranks to become a member of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s inner circle.

U.S. Hopes Chavez’s Passing Could Smooth Relations with Venezuela, TIME

U.S. officials are cautiously optimistic that the death of Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez could improve relations between the two countries, but they aren’t holding their breath.

Chavez Death Could Open Up Venezuela Oil, Wall Street Journal

The death of Hugo Chavez may have plunged Venezuela into political uncertainty. But oil markets have remained calm so far.

Cubans mourn Venezuela’s Chavez, worry about the future, Reuters

In many cities and towns, people filed through government-arranged memorials to pay tribute to the man who poured oil and money into the island nation to help revive its economy after a near-collapse in the 1990s.

The Wild Card in Venezuela: Armed Chavistas, ABC News

The banner just inside the poor neighborhood in western Caracas reads, “Loyal to Comandante Chavez.” The guard at the gate ensures no one enters without permission — not even the police.

Venezuela to expel U.S. Embassy official, Associated Press

Venezuela’s vice president, Nicolas Maduro, says the government of President Hugo Chavez plans to expel a U.S. Embassy official for meeting with military officers and planning to destabilize the country.

Brayan Villarreal’s family attacked, ESPN

Brayan Villarreal’s family home in Venezuela was attacked by three armed robbers who threatened to kidnap his relatives in the future, his agent told ESPNDeportes.com.

Number of homicides in Venezuela hits 2,576 in January-February, El Universal

Venezuela’s homicide rate in the first two months of the year dropped one percent with respect to the same period in 2012, according to figures recorded by the Scientific, Criminal and Forensic Investigation Agency (Cicpc).