Hugo Chávez Death Anniversary: Cuban President Raúl Castro Visits Venezuela To Remember Chávez

One year ago this day, Venezuela's President Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías died from a heart attack after battling cancer for 14 years and was succeeded by his protege Nicolas Maduro. According to the Venezuelan government, Chávez was hospitalized after suffering from a respiratory infection after underwent his fourth cancer surgery in December 2012. While the doctors used a tracheal tube to help Chávez, his condition took a turn for the worse.

The commemoration of the controversial leader's first death anniversary is taking place in Caracas, Venezuela and according to El Universal, Cuba's President Raúl Castro has arrived to honor the deceased leader of Venezuela. Castro has reportedly visited the tomb of Chávez, which is located outside Venezuela's military academy in the Cuartel de la Montaña. Castro is said to have laid a white rose on Chávez's tomb.

And it's not just Castro who visited Venezuela to mark Chávez's death, as Efe reports that Bolivian President Evo Morales and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega are some of many South American leaders that have paid their respects in Venezuela.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is currently busy trying to invade Ukraine, reportedly sent a letter to the Venezuelan government to remember the deceased leader's "personal charm." "Remembering this exceptional man, I cannot help but admire his strength of will, his courage, his indefatigable energy and his personal charm," wrote Putin. "A fervent defender of his country, loyal to the ideals of the great Liberator Simón Bolívar, in the few years of life that he had, he understood how to obtain many achievements for the development of Venezuela and the wellbeing of his city."

Currently, Venezuela is amidst protests against Maduro's leadership, which he inherited from Chávez. The protests began on Feb. 12, 2014 on the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Victoria. The initial protests--led by the leaders of the Venezuelan opposition María Corina Machado and Leopoldo López--were followed by a large, city-wide protest on Saturday, Feb. 15. While the protests were led by Machado and López, it was students who coordinated and staged the protests and provided them with the backing.