Sean Penn on Hugo Chavez's Death: 'I Lost a Friend'
5:33 PM PST 3/5/2013 by Rebecca Ford

"I mourn a great hero," said Oliver Stone of the Venezuelan president who died on Tuesday after a long bout with cancer.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez died on Tuesday after a long bout with cancer. He was 58.

The controversial leader had a slew of Hollywood heavyweights supporting him throughout his reign, with the most vocal two being actor Sean Penn and filmmaker Oliver Stone.

"Today the people of the United States lost a friend it never knew it had. And poor people around the world lost a champion," says Penn in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. "I lost a friend I was blessed to have. My thoughts are with the family of President Chavez and the people of Venezuela."

"Venezuela and its revolution will endure under the proven leadership of Vice President Maduro," adds Penn.

Penn, who has been a longtime supporter of Chavez, made a surprise appearance in Bolivia in December to attend a candlelight vigil for the health of the leader. Said Penn at the vigil: “He’s one of the most important forces we’ve had on this planet, and I’ll wish him nothing but that great strength he has shown over and over again. I do it in love, and I do it in gratitude."

Earlier, in August 2012, Penn had joined Chavez at an election rally in Venezuela. The two first met in 2007 in Venezuela.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hu...ean-penn-426205

Whatever Maria is selling, I'm buying...



By the way. I love seeing all these creeps in Hollywood running to the mics to praise human debris. If you'll notice, their careers go farther in the toilet the more radical they get. Penn couldn't get asses in movie theater seats to save his life. Same for Stoner.

Can Jimmy Carter be included here ??



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2013
Contact: dcongil@emory.edu

Statement From Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter
on the Death of Hugo Chavez

http://www.cartercenter.org/news/pr/hugo-chavez-030513.html