Hugo Chavez passed away from complications of cancer Tuesday (Creative Commons/que comunismo)

The New York Times reported the controversial Latin American leader had spent much of the last two years undergoing chemotherapy and other treatment in Cuba and Venezuela for an undisclosed form of cancer. Though officials within his cabinet always insisted Chávez was doing well, in recent months after his October re-election, he had rarely been seen publicly.

After a surgery in December, the leader suffered from persistent breathing problems and had trouble speaking, indicating that the leader was in far worse condition than previously thought. It is a believed a resulting respiratory infection is the likely cause of Chávez's death.

Maduro accused Chávez's enemies of "infecting" the leader with the cancer and said the government would expel two U.S. diplomats at the U.S. embassy in Caracas "for spying." 

Chávez was first elected in 1998 and led Venezuela through what he termed a 'socialist revolution,' modeling himself after Venezuelan hero Simón Bolívar. He funded poverty-reducing initiatives using the nation's oil reserves leading to spats with major oil corporations.

He frequently engaged in war of words with western leaders, particularly former U.S. President George W. Bush, leading to an often times frosty relationship between the two countries. There is currently no U.S. ambassador in Venezuela.

Despite those issues and his willingness to form friendships with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, Chávez remained incredibly popular among Venezuela's poor and middle class, helping him secure landslide election victories in 1998, 2000, 2006 and 2012. Chávez even overcame a attempted coup in 2002 and a recall referendum in 2004 to remain in power.

His death sends Venezuela into murky territory, as the country's constitution calls for a new election within 30 days in the event of the president's death.

Vice President Maduro is expected to run for the Socialist Party against Henrique Capriles Radonski of the opposition Justice First Party. Chávez defeated Capriles in October by a an 11 point margin (55 percent to 44 percent of the total vote).

The Obama administration has commented that it hopes for free and fair elections in Venezuela and for closer ties with the next Venezuelan government.

Chávez is survived by his four children.

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