NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 20: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaks during a news conference while attending the United Nations General Assembly September 20, 2006 at the UN in New York City.The annual conference comes at a contentious time for the world body as sanctions are being considered for Iran, while separately; UN peacekeepers are taking part in 18 operations around the world. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (C) waves to supporters during a caravan before registering his candidacy in the National Electoral Center for the upcoming presidential election, in Caracas on June 11, 2012. Thousands of followers took to the streets of Caracas supporting his candidacy. AFP PHOTO/Leo RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP via Getty Images)
CARACAS, VENEZUELA - JANUARY 6: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaks in a televised address late January 5, 2002 at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela. Chavez vowed justice for two men who were shot and killed January 3 at a political rally in a battle between of Chavez supporters, opposition marchers and security forces. Chavez claimed oil exports were recovering and had reached 1.5 million barrels a day, about half of Venezuela's normal level. Striking oil executives say production is only a fraction of normal output. Venezuela is the world's fifth largest oil exporter and a major U.S. supplier. (Photo by Miraflores/Getty Images)
CIENFUEGOS, CUBA - DECEMBER 21: President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez gives a speech during the closing session of the 4th PetroCaribe Summit in the Camilo Cienfuegos refinery December 21, 2007 in Cienfuegos, Cuba. The Heads of State and Government of the 16 member nations of the Energy Cooperation Agreement are expected to participate in the debates and the re-inauguration of the first stage of the Camilo Cienfuegos Oil Refinery that was refurbished by Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA. (Photo by Sven Creutzmann/Mambo photo/Getty Images)
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (C) embraces his daughters Maria (L) and Rosa at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on July 4, 2011. Chavez returned to Venezuela Monday after spending three weeks in Cuba, where he had a cancerous tumor extirpated. AFP PHOTO/Leo Ramirez (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP via Getty Images)
