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Even before his death, Hugo Chavez had joined Fidel Castro and Ernesto "Che" Guevara in the pantheon of Latin American leaders who enjoy instant global recognition. And, like Castro and Guevara, Chavez is more than controversial. He is the subject of deep admiration that easily morphs into passionate worship, and antagonism that often mutates into equally intense hatred. Chávez, 58, died Tuesday, after two years of cancer treatments, according to Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro.