By Belize Live News Staff: Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, one of the most powerful and controversial figures in modern American politics, has died at the age of 84, his family announced. Cheney passed away surrounded by his wife of 61 years, Lynne Cheney, and daughters Liz and Mary, following complications from pneumonia and cardiac disease.
Cheney, who served as vice president under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, was a key architect of the “War on Terror” and one of the driving forces behind the U.S. invasion of Iraq. His influence reshaped U.S. foreign policy for decades and made him one of the most consequential—and polarizing—leaders of the 21st century.
Born in Nebraska and raised in Wyoming, Cheney’s career spanned more than four decades. He held posts as White House Chief of Staff, Secretary of Defense, and U.S. Representative, before assuming the vice presidency. Known for his unyielding stance on national security, Cheney’s tenure was defined by decisions that changed global politics—most notably, the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
While revered by some as a patriot who defended America after 9/11, others criticized him for championing harsh interrogation methods and preemptive warfare based on flawed intelligence. Even in his later years, Cheney remained unapologetic, insisting he had done what was necessary to protect the United States.
Cheney’s final years were marked by a break with the Republican Party, as he became a vocal critic of Donald Trump, calling him “a coward” and “the greatest threat to the republic.” His daughter, Liz Cheney, would later follow that conviction, sacrificing her political career to oppose Trump’s influence within the GOP.
