March 6, 2016
Photo: Bill Hackwell
Latin America and Caribbean officials paid tribute to the late Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez at the Mountain Barracks in this capital on Saturday.
The leaders, accompanied by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, laid wreaths at the mausoleum where the remains of the socialist leader rest, and participated in an ecumenical ceremony in his honor.
Earlier, the Latin American presidents attended the international forum “Chavez, Leader of the 21st Century, Latin American and Caribbean Unity”, which highlighted the humanist and anti-imperialist nature of a man who dedicated his life to the struggle for integration of the continent and the freedom of the peoples of the world.
Presidents Evo Morales (Bolivia), Daniel Ortega (Nicaragua) and Salvador Sanchez Ceren (El Salvador), as well as Prime Ministers Roosevelt Skerrit (Dominica), Ralph Gonsalves (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) and Gaston Browne (Antigua and Barbuda), and Cuban First Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel attended the ceremony.
For her part, Colombian human rights activist Piedad Cordoba described Chavez as a spectacular, exemplary man, who loved his country and loved all peoples of the world.
She stated that the main legacy of the Bolivarian leader is the defense of socialism and unity of the peoples in the hemisphere, and particularly highlighted his commitment to strengthening peace in Colombia.
Cordoba also recognized the work Maduro has carried out to preserve and continue Chavez’s legacy, in light of the situation in Venezuela since his death.
Tachira Governor Jose Vielma noted that three years after his death, people still cry for the commander, a man who fought every day to emancipate Venezuela.
For his part, Socialist leader Dario Vivas said that he will always remember Chavez as the leader, guide and builder of a beautiful project that dignifies people today
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Source: Prensa Latina