Hugo Chávez Dead: Iranian President Ahmadinejad Claims, 'He Will Be Resurrected With Jesus Christ'

"Chávez is more alive than ever!" exclaimed Bolivian President Evo Morales in a speech on Bolivian television. Hugo Chávez, the man who related to the country's namesake throughout his term, Simon Bolivar, died Tuesday of cancer.

Leaders in countries around the world paid homage to the late Venezuelan president. President Obama released a brief statement saying in part that he looks forward to the "new chapter" in the Latin American nation and reaffirmed the United State's adherence to promoting human rights and democracy.

Even some on the right paid their respects to the late leader. Sebastian Pinera, the president of Chile, said he appreciated Chávez' commitment to Latin American integration.

Some supporters on the left drew unexpected criticism from within their own ranks at the lengths they went to publicly remember Chávez. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, outspoken but not often criticized in the region, was reprimanded by Islamic clerics in Tehran after he promised Chávez' spiritual return "along with Christ the Savior." Some clerics expected there would be an outcry for using the name of Jesus Christ instead of referencing spiritual Muslim figures. Seyed Mahdi Tabatabaei, an Iranian cleric, told "The Guardian" that Ahmadinejad's comments were "legally and religiously wrong".

Back home, similar outcry surfaced after a New York City congressman issued a heartfelt statement about the passing of Chávez that read in part: "[Chávez] was committed to empowering the powerless. R.I.P. Mr. President." According to NBC News, pro-military charity "Move America Forward" rebuked the Bronx democrat's statement saying "Chávez openly hated the United States and opposed any effort to spread freedom, democracy and free markets to Latin America."

Former President Jimmy Carter, also an outspoken friend of Chávez, said in a statement: "We came to know a man who expressed a vision to bring profound changes to his country to benefit especially those people who had felt neglected and marginalized." Carter has in the past been criticized for his fervent support of other controversial leaders such as the Palestinian government.

In Congress, there were sentiments of hopefulness looking forward to a possible mend in relations with the new leadership. Congressman Mike Rogers, a Michigan Republican, said he hopes to be able to conduct diplomacy with the new Venezuelan leadership. However, some were curt in their disinterest in the entire ordeal. "Sic Semper Tyrannis," or "always to tyrants," said Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.