Viva Venezuela

"Viva Venezuela, viva the great fatherland, viva the Bolivarian Revolution!" that was the slogan of Venezuelains all these years. While the indomitable spirit of Hugo Chavez revolved around Caracas, more than two million people waited patiently to pay last tribute to their loving President. Albeit Chavez was known as the “People’s President” and the “Christ of the Poor”, he leaves behind an unfinished agenda. The notion ‘Bolivian Socialism’ encapsulated by Chavez was a blend of Christian liberation theology and socialist ideology. He said, “First of all I am a Christian and then a socialist,” and always carried a small cross and a copy of the socialist Bolivarian Constitution in his pocket.

Chavez was born in a village of Venezuelan 58 years ago and brought up as a poor in a muddy house. By dint of hard work and perseverance, he got admission into the military school and gained attention of leaders. After a failed coup in 1992, Chavez formed a party, the Fifth Republic Party and won the elections in 1998. This was his third consecutive term as President of Venezuela. He was described as “the most elected President” and he election process in Venezuela is recognized as being among the most transparent and fair in the world. (Jimmy Carter - “the best in the world”). The constitution he composed was accepted widely by more representation to marginalised indigenous communities and women. Sometime he described himself as a “feminist socialist”.

Diplomatic relation with Cuba catalyzed the progress of Latin America and contributed a lot in socio economic developments. It also led to the political and economic integration of Latin America. Venezuela gave oil to Cuba at preferential rates in exchange for trained Cuban doctors and educators.

Chavez loved to speak and on an average his public speeches accounted for 45 hours every week. “Alo Presidente”, live program was one of his high rated shows.

Key social sector achievements

·         National Public Health System to ensure free access to health care for all Venezuelans

·         Malnutrition rate fell from 21 per cent in 1998 to less than 3 per cent in 2012.

·         Infant mortality rate fell from 19.1 per thousand in 1999 to 10 per thousand in 2012 and poverty rates decreased from 42.8 per cent to 26.5 per cent.

·         Venezuela is the country with least income inequality in Latin America(UNDP)

·         Universal access to education was introduced in 2008.

·         In December 2005, Venezuela had eradicated illiteracy (UNESCO)

Venezuela under Chavez was the most democratic country in the Western hemisphere. He vehemently criticized the dominancy of west and moved against the global leadership of America. He was among the few world leaders to criticise the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and the U.S.’ policies towards Iran. The Frontline commented;

“He ate frugally, slept little, drank endless cups of coffee, and worked until midnight. He never smoked or drank. During his 2005 India visit, he charmed everybody by his oratory and humanism. Chavez was given one of the biggest welcomes of his life when he visited Kolkata. He was visibly moved while visiting a primary school in West Bengal where the children were eating their frugal midday meal of rice and lentils. Chavez wanted to visit India again and was especially keen on going to Kerala. But the Indian government, possibly wary of his anti-imperialist rhetoric, was not too eager to host him. Chavez, however, put great emphasis on bilateral relations with India. In his efforts to diversify energy links, which currently are heavily dependent on the American market, he reached out to India and China. Indian petroleum companies have signed big contracts in Venezuela, but China has emerged as a much larger investor and one of the country’s biggest trading partners”.

The Iranian President said that Chavez was only symbolically dead. “I have no doubt he will come again along with all the righteous people and the Prophet Jesus.” This may be the believe of Venezuelans. The same was evident from the laments of millions of his followers they wept and shed tears while bid farewell to their loving President. Nothing to wonder, the last word uttered by Chavez is enough to explain the whole story – “I don’t want to die. Don’t let me to die”. Let this passion to serve his people may disseminate to the leaders of nations.

Paul V Mathew