By Alejandra Garcia on March 6, 2025
photo: Bill Hackwell
Yesterday, March 5, the Venezuelan people took to the streets to remember Bolivarian leader Hugo Chavez, on the 12th anniversary of his physical departure after a strong battle against cancer. From different points of Caracas, Venezuelans united in a great march that advanced through the main avenues of Caracas to the Cuartel de la Montaña 4F, where the mortal remains of the leader who left an indelible mark on the history of Venezuela and Latin America rest.
“We are all Chavez!” was heard among the crowd, where there were no laments, but joviality, because the legacy, life and work of Comandante Chavez remains alive in his people. The boy from Sabaneta, the ‘arañero boy’, as he was affectionately known for selling papaya sweets prepared by his grandmother Rosa Inés Chávez, was born on July 28, 1954. The life of the man who managed to put the poor and vulnerable of the country at the center of political decisions was nurtured by his humble origins, by his sensitivity towards the common people.
He grew up in a humble background, being the second of six siblings from a family of teachers. Due to economic difficulties, he and his older brother, Adán, were raised by Rosa Inés, who instilled in them a deep love for history, politics and justice. His early youth was marked by the presence of the Armed Forces of National Liberation (FALN), a guerrilla group fighting against the government in the 1960s. This movement had the sympathy of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who would later become a key figure in Chavez’s life.
His constant search for justice and his closeness to the people led him to lead an attempted coup d’état against the dictatorship of then President Carlos Andres Perez on February 4, 1992. Although the rebellion failed, his speech before the cameras, where he asked his comrades to lay down their arms “for now”, resonated in the hearts of many Venezuelans, who saw in him a promise of change. That moment would mark his first appearence in the political panorama of the country.
After being imprisoned without trial, he was released in 1994 and that’s when he founded the Fifth Republic Movement, a party that attracted popular discontent towards the traditional parties. In December 1998, Chavez won the presidential election with 56% of the vote, ushering in a new era in Venezuela. He led the country for three consecutive terms, and the fourth was interrupted by his early death at the age of 58.
Fidel and Chavez in the Sierras
On that political, social, economic and Latin American path of achievement, Chavez and Venezuela were not alone. The friendship with Fidel Castro was crucial in the life of the Bolivarian president. The historic Cuban leader felt he lost someone very dear to him the day Chavez died: “Today I keep a special memory of the best friend I had in my years as an active politician”. This relationship not only strengthened the ties between Venezuela and Cuba, but also inspired Chavez to adopt and promote the ideology of the Cuban Revolution.
A Visionary of Latin American Unity
Hugo Chavez, the charismatic Venezuelan leader, left an indelible mark on Latin American history. With his skill as an orator and his deep understanding of the needs of the people, Chavez promoted unity among many countries in the region, in the face of the feelings of abandonment and frustration that prevailed among the population. His legacy is based on the combination of Simon Bolivar’s vision of a unified Latin America free from the interference of foreign powers, along with a revolutionary Marxist ideology.
Chavez not only dreamed of a united Latin America, but worked tirelessly to make that dream a reality. His goal was to create a Latin American alliance powerful enough to expel U.S. influence from the region and compete politically and economically with the United States and the European Union.
To achieve this, he actively promoted the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), a regional bloc established in 2004 in collaboration with Fidel Castro. This initiative sought the social, political and economic integration of Latin American countries, offering an alternative to the economic policies imposed by foreign powers.
photo: Bill Hackwell
In addition, Chavez promoted PetroCaribe, an energy program created in 2005 that provided oil to countries in the region under favorable conditions. These initiatives found considerable support among Latin American countries, which saw in them a way to resist globalization and economic policies that benefited foreign powers at the expense of the peoples of the region.
Chávez’s heritage is not limited to international politics; it also includes important achievements in the social and economic spheres. During his mandate, successful educational programs were implemented that improved access to education for millions of Venezuelans. Likewise, greater access to health care was achieved, which contributed to improving the quality of life of the population.
Under his leadership, employment increased and the poverty rate dropped by more than 20%, reflecting his commitment to social justice and the well-being of the most disadvantaged. These achievements are an integral part of his legacy and how he is remembered by many.
His charisma and his vision of a united Latin America continue to resonate in the region’s politics. Today, the people in the streets vow to make his dream of unity and social justice endure. Chavez’s legacy lives on.
Source: Resumen Latinoamericano – English