March 6, 2013

Venezuelans in the U.S. have expressed cautious optimism that new elections will bring change to their homeland after the death of President Hugo Chavez.

A jubilant celebration broke out late Tuesday in the Miami suburb of Doral after word spread of the death of the 58-year-old leftist. Many dressed in caps and T-shirts in Venezuela's colors of yellow, blue and red.

Dozens in the largely anti-Chavez community chanted "He's gone!"

Chavez had been diagnosed with cancer nearly two years ago. He had led oil-rich Venezuela for nearly 14 years while bickering with a succession of U.S. governments.

Venezuela's foreign minister said Vice President Nicolas Maduro would step in as interim president and elections would be called within 30 days.