Anti-U.S. leaders deliver effusive tributes upon the death of Chavez

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Anti-U.S. leaders deliver effusive tributes upon the death of Chavez

On the occasion of Venezuela strongman Hugo Chavez's demise, China, Russia, Cuba, Iran formed a chorus in praising Hugo Chavez for his unflinching anti-American fanaticism.

"President Chavez was a big admirer of Chairman Mao Zedong," said the official Chinese News Service in a long sentimental tribute to Chavez on March 6, "He finished reading all of Mao Zedong's Selected Works in Spanish and frequently quoted Mao Zedong's classic theories such as "Imperialism is nothing but a paper tiger," "we should be contemptuous of our enemy on a strategic level," and "the Party must command the gun," gushed the article.

"After President Chavez, who will be Latin America's anti-U.S. flag bearer," pondered the Communist Party-run newspaper the Global Times.

China's leaders including the outgoing Hu Jintao and the incoming Xi Jinping sent condolences in the first hours of Chavez's death announcement to Caracas.

In his letter of condolences, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called Chavez a "martyr" of a suspicious illness, accusing the U.S. of murdering Chavez, a charge which was echoed by Chavez's chosen heir, Vice President Nicolas Maduro.

The 86-year-old Cuban dictator Fidel Castro called Chavez "my real son who stood by me." All Cubans were ordered to take part in a 3-day mourning period for Chavez. Venezuela under Chavez was the chief provider of economic aid to Cuba.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin called Chavez an extraordinary strongman who set a highest standard for himself, referring to Chavez's unrelenting anti-U.S. stance.