Story highlights News of Chavez's death drew impassioned reactions from around the world

Global leaders and other public figures weighed in on his legacy

Obama: The United States reaffirms its support for the Venezuelan people

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer. News of his death drew impassioned reactions from around the world, as leaders and other public figures weighed in on his legacy. Here are some of the comments:

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

"President Chavez spoke to the challenges and aspirations of the most vulnerable Venezuelans. He provided decisive impetus for new regional integration movements, based on an eminently Latin American vision, while showing solidarity toward other nations in the hemisphere. His contribution to the current peace talks in Colombia between the Government of President Juan Manuel Santos and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has been of vital importance.

"The secretary-general renews the commitment of the United Nations to work alongside the Government and the people of Venezuela in support of its development and prosperity."

U.S. President Barack Obama

Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Political career of Hugo Chavez – Army Lt. Col. Hugo Chavez, who led a 1992 attempted coup, speaks to reporters on March 26, 1994, after he was freed from jail. Chavez was freed after charges were dropped against him for leading the first of two attempted coups against the government of former President Carlos Andres Perez, who was later removed from office. Hide Caption 1 of 18 Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Political career of Hugo Chavez – Venezuelan president-elect Chavez visits Bogota, Colombia, on December 18, 1998. On December 6, Chavez had been elected the youngest president in Venezuela history. Hide Caption 2 of 18 Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Political career of Hugo Chavez – President Chavez greets supporters with his then-wife, Marisabel Rodriguez de Chavez, beside him as he arrives to preside over a parade in his honor on February 4, 1999, in Caracas. Chavez was sworn in as president on February 2. Hide Caption 3 of 18 Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Political career of Hugo Chavez – Chavez inspects military maneuvers of the national Air Force on March 17, 2001, in Catilletes near the border with Colombia. In June 2000, Chavez was re-elected to the presidency for a six-year term, under the new constitution created by his government in 1999. Hide Caption 4 of 18 Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Political career of Hugo Chavez – People try to take shelter from gunshots fired near Altamira Square in Caracas on August 16, 2004. At least three people were wounded by gunshots after Chavez supporters fired on opposition demonstrators, police said. A vote to recall Chavez as president failed on August 15. Hide Caption 5 of 18 Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Political career of Hugo Chavez – Chavez, left, stands in front of supporters with Fidel Castro of Cuba, center, and Evo Morales of Bolivia, right, during a rally at the Plaza de la Revolucion in Havana, Cuba, on April 29, 2006. Hide Caption 6 of 18 Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Political career of Hugo Chavez – Chavez meets with Pope Benedict XVI at his private library on May 11, 2006, in Vatican City. Hide Caption 7 of 18 Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Political career of Hugo Chavez – Chavez embraces Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, right, in Tehran, Iran, on July 1, 2007. The two presidents have enjoyed a close relationship and Chavez has referred to Ahmadinejad as his "ideological brother." Hide Caption 8 of 18 Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Political career of Hugo Chavez – Chavez speaks during a rally in Caracas on November 18, 2008. Chavez pushed to change term limits in Venezuela through a referendum that passed on February 15, 2009, clearing the way for him to run for a third six-year term. Hide Caption 9 of 18 Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Political career of Hugo Chavez – Chavez, right, gives a copy of the book, "The Open Veins of Latin America" by Eduardo Galeano to President Barack Obama during a multilateral meeting at the Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad, on April 18, 2009. Hide Caption 10 of 18 Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Political career of Hugo Chavez – Chavez, right, greets Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during his visit to the presidential palace in Caracas on April 2, 2010. Hide Caption 11 of 18 Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Political career of Hugo Chavez – Chavez salutes to the audience after passing a law in Caracas on November 12, 2011. Chavez has undergone several rounds of cancer treatment in Cuba, beginning in 2011. Hide Caption 12 of 18 Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Political career of Hugo Chavez – Chavez participates in a ceremony at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on January 27, 2012. Hide Caption 13 of 18 Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Political career of Hugo Chavez – Chavez, left, jokes with American actor Sean Penn, right, during his visit to Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on February 16, 2012. Penn thanked Chavez for the support given by the Venezuelan government to his nongovernmental organization, which benefits victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Hide Caption 14 of 18 Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Political career of Hugo Chavez – Chavez acknowledges supporters on the streets of Caracas while on his way to the airport to travel to Cuba for ongoing cancer treatment on February 24, 2012. Hide Caption 15 of 18 Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Political career of Hugo Chavez – Chavez gestures to the crowd during his closing campaign rally in Caracas on October 4, 2012. The leftist leader won a fourth term on October 7, extending his presidency to 2019. Hide Caption 16 of 18 Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Political career of Hugo Chavez – A handout picture released by the Venezuelan presidential press office on Friday, February 15, 2013, shows Chavez surrounded by his daughters and holding the February 14 edition of the official Cuban newspaper Granma at a hospital in Havana, Cuba. Hide Caption 17 of 18 Photos: Photos: Political career of Hugo Chavez Political career of Hugo Chavez – Chavez supporters gather in Caracas' Bolivar Square to mourn Chavez's death on March 5, 2013. Hide Caption 18 of 18

Photos: Photos: Celebrities and Hugo Chavez Photos: Photos: Celebrities and Hugo Chavez Chavez's famous friends – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez greets actor Sean Penn after a meeting at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on March 5, 2011. Penn thanked Chavez for the support given by the Venezuelan government to his nongovernmental organization, which benefits victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Hide Caption 1 of 9 Photos: Photos: Celebrities and Hugo Chavez Chavez's famous friends – Chavez kisses the hand of British supermodel Naomi Campbell during a meeting in Caracas on October 31, 2007. Hide Caption 2 of 9 Photos: Photos: Celebrities and Hugo Chavez Chavez's famous friends – Director Oliver Stone and Chavez attend the "South of the Border" premiere during the 66th Venice Film Festival on September 7, 2009, in Venice, Italy. Hide Caption 3 of 9 Photos: Photos: Celebrities and Hugo Chavez Chavez's famous friends – Chavez speaks to actor Kevin Spacey during a meeting at the Miraflores presidential palace on September 24, 2007. Hide Caption 4 of 9 Photos: Photos: Celebrities and Hugo Chavez Chavez's famous friends – Actor Danny Glover and Chavez embrace while attending the The CITGO-Venezuela Heating Oil Program inauguration ceremony in Harlem, New York, on September 21, 2006. Chavez addressed the United Nations General Assembly a day earlier. Hide Caption 5 of 9 Photos: Photos: Celebrities and Hugo Chavez Chavez's famous friends – Actress Susan Sarandon poses for a picture with Chavez and his daughter, Rosa, at the afterparty of the "South of the Border" premiere in New York on September 23, 2009. Hide Caption 6 of 9 Photos: Photos: Celebrities and Hugo Chavez Chavez's famous friends – After attending the premiere of his film "Che," actor Benicio del Toro meets with Chavez at the Miraflores palace on March 4, 2009. Hide Caption 7 of 9 Photos: Photos: Celebrities and Hugo Chavez Chavez's famous friends – Boxing promoter Don King speaks with Chavez and an unidentified woman at the presidential palace in Caracas on February 2, 2004. Hide Caption 8 of 9 Photos: Photos: Celebrities and Hugo Chavez Chavez's famous friends – Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona shares a laugh with Chavez at a press conference in Caracas on July 22, 2010. Hide Caption 9 of 9

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"At this challenging time of President Hugo Chavez's passing, the United States reaffirms its support for the Venezuelan people and its interest in developing a constructive relationship with the Venezuelan government. As Venezuela begins a new chapter in its history, the United States remains committed to policies that promote democratic principles, the rule of law and respect for human rights."

Chinese Foreign Ministry

"President Chavez has been an outstanding leader of Venezuela and a good friend of the Chinese people. He has made great contributions to consolidate the relations of our two countries. President Hu Jintao and Chief Secretary Xi Jinping have sent messages to Vice President Maduro to express our deep condolences. Our party, government and people treasure the long-lasting friendship with Venezuela. The two countries will keep working together to deepen this strategic partnership we've been enjoying, which we believe benefits both countries and their people."

Russian President Vladimir Putin

"Vladimir Putin praised the personal efforts of the Venezuelan leader, through which a solid foundation for the Russian-Venezuelan partnership was laid and strong political ties have developed, large-scale humanitarian and development projects were launched, and expressed his confidence to continue on this path, strengthening and developing the relationship between Russia and Venezuela," the Kremlin said.

Former Venezuelan presidential candidate Henrique Capriles

"In this difficult moment, we should demonstrate our profound love and respect to Venezuela! Unity of the Venezuelan family!"

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Ahmadinejad "expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Venezuelan government and nation on the sad demise of the late President Hugo Chavez," the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported. Ahmadinejad also "paid homage to Chavez and referred to him as the symbol of fighters in Latin American history and the forerunner of the establishment of friendship among nations," the agency said.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos

"It's a great loss for Venezuela and for the region.

"For Colombia, and for me in particular, the loss of President Chavez has a special significance.

"Everyone knows we had many differences ... But from the first days of my administration, we decided to put aside those differences to concentrate on the best interests of the people of Venezuela and the people of Colombia."

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper

"Canada looks forward to working with (Chavez's) successor and other leaders in the region to build a hemisphere that is more prosperous, secure and democratic.

"At this key juncture, I hope the people of Venezuela can now build for themselves a better, brighter future based on the principles of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights."

Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry

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"The national government expresses its solidarity in light of this irreparable loss that puts the Venezuelan people and all the region in mourning and at the same time sends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the late champion of Latin America."

British Foreign Secretary William Hague

"I was saddened to learn of the death of President Hugo Chavez today. As President of Venezuela for 14 years, he has left a lasting impression on the country and more widely. I would like to offer my condolences to his family and to the Venezuelan people at this time."

Nabil Sha'ath, senior Palestinian official

"The death of President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela caused a lot of sadness here in Palestine and in my heart as well as for President (Mahmoud) Abbas, who had a long meeting with him in Caracas that he always remembers. President Chavez stood by Palestine and supported the rights of the Palestinian people all along."

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter

"President Chavez will be remembered for his bold assertion of autonomy and independence for Latin American governments and for his formidable communication skills and personal connection with supporters in his country and abroad to whom he gave hope and empowerment. During his 14-year tenure, Chavez joined other leaders in Latin America and the Caribbean to create new forms of integration. Venezuelan poverty rates were cut in half, and millions received identification documents for the first time, allowing them to participate more effectively in their country's economic and political life.

"At the same time, we recognize the divisions created in the drive towards change in Venezuela and the need for national healing. We hope that as Venezuelans mourn the passing of President Chavez and recall his positive legacies -- especially the gains made for the poor and vulnerable -- the political leaders will move the country forward by building a new consensus that ensures equal opportunities for all Venezuelans to participate in every aspect of national life."

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

"Hugo Chavez ruled Venezuela with an iron hand and his passing has left a political void that we hope will be filled peacefully and through a constitutional and democratic process, grounded in the Venezuelan constitution and adhering to the Inter-American Democratic Charter. With free and fair elections, Venezuela can begin to restore its once robust democracy and ensure respect for the human, political and civil rights of its people."

U.S. Rep. Ed Royce, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs

"Hugo Chavez was a tyrant who forced the people of Venezuela to live in fear. His death dents the alliance of anti-U.S. leftist leaders in South America. Good riddance to this dictator.

"Venezuela once had a strong democratic tradition and was close to the United States. Chavez's death sets the stage for fresh elections. While not guaranteed, closer U.S. relations with (this) key country in our Hemisphere are now possible."

Actor Sean Penn

"Venezuela and its revolution will endure under the proven leadership of Vice President (Nicolas) Maduro. Today the United States lost a friend it never knew it had. And poor people around the world lost a champion. I lost a friend I was blessed to have. My thoughts are with the family of President Chavez and the people of Venezuela."