What many miss is that between repentance and forgiveness is penance. Highly unlikely any of these tyrants, including Chavez, passed through that stage.
And the thief on the cross? How much penance did he have to do before he went to Paradise that day? Maybe he received a special dispensation because the college of cardinals were out of town at the time.
More of the foolish theology that Christ’s sacrifice wasn’t enough, man has to help in order for the cross to be fulfilled. Idiocy
Obviously, true penance can be formed instantly, or it can take a lifetime of struggle.
First, he was nailed to the cross. Probably not a pleasant experience.
Then, after hanging on the cross for nine hours, he had his legs broken by rods. Also, not very pleasant.
He then hung there until he suffocated. That, also probably didn't feel too good.
So, I'd say he suffered quite a bit before going to paradise.
But, the first thing he did was to ask Christ to remember him, which is to say he asked for forgiveness and it was granted. But, he still had to suffer before receiving his eternal reward.