Hugo Chavez's Memorable Moments

Posted: 03/05/2013 5:04 pm EST Updated: 03/05/2013 6:23 pm EST

Hugo Chavez was a man of many talents: he played ball, sang songs, pulled out pistols, and got down and groovy - and that is precisely how we'll remember the Venezuelan leader.

Since rising to power nearly two decades ago, Chavez always liked the spotlight. In 2006, he famously called former U.S. President George W. Bush the devil during a speech at the U.N. General Assembly and the last time rumors were spreading about his health, he invited a group of reporters to play baseball.

Check out the slideshow below for other memorable moments of Chavez.

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Hugo Chavez's Most Memorable Moments

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Right in the middle of a ceremony marking the birthday of Simon Bolivar, Chavez pulled out a pair of pistols that he claimed belonged to the Venezuelan independence hero and his lover Manuela Saenz. (Photo: AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)
In September 2011, Chavez invited reporters to his house to play ball to silence rumors suggesting that he had reached the end of his rope. (Photo: Juan Barreto/AFP/Getty Images)
Weeks before starting his first round of chemotherapy , Chavez celebrated his 57th birthday by dancing and singing from a balcony of the presidential palace before a large crowd of supporters.
Chavez raised eyebrows in July when he urged Venezuelans to drink Venezuelan-made fruit juice instead of the sugary Coca-Cola and Pepsi. "This juice is delicious," Chavez said, according to Noticias24. He also advised them to exercise and avoid drugs and alcohol. (Photo: Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images)
Following Clint Eastwood's 'invisible Obama' one-man show at the GOP convention in August, Chavez praised the U.S. president for taking the high road. According to Bloomberg, Chavez said Obama was "classy" and "wise" in his response. (Photo: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)
Upon hearing that the San Francisco Giants had won the 2010 World Series, Chavez interrupted a summit meeting with Colombian counterpart Juan Manuel Santos to call Colombian national hero Edgar Renteria and congratulate him. (Photo: AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
While Hillary Clinton was touring Latin America, she reportedly gave Venezuela some unsolicited fiscal advice. In response, Chavez sang her an improvised tune, saying: "I'm not loved by Hillary Clinton . . . and I don't love her either.."
Chavez called former US President George W Bush "the devil" in a 2006 speech at the United Nations General Assembly. "The devil came here yesterday," he said, referring to Bush's speech on the day before. "It still smells of sulphur today," he added, according to the BBC. (Photo: Ramin Talaie/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
While recovering from cancer treatment, Chavez appeared on national television and rapped along with Venezuelan singer Rodbexa Poleo Vidoza.
Along with close ally Fidel Castro, Chavez reportedly played a key role in brokering a long-stalled peace deal between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrilla group. (Photo: AP Photo/Gregorio Marrero, File)