Hugo Chavez seemed an unlikely convert to democracy . ( CNN ) -- The Venezuelan president has been in power for nearly 14 years and is widely credited with transforming the country from a dictatorship into one of Latin America's most prosperous nations. Chavez inspired leftist leaders in Latin America .
Hugo Chavez seemed an unlikely convert to democracy . The Venezuelan president has been in power for nearly 14 years and is widely credited with transforming the country from a dictatorship into one of Latin America's most prosperous nations. Chavez inspired leftist leaders in Latin America .