“Venezuelans didn’t vote for me, they voted for a socialist plan” and on the election night he addressed to the people the following statement. “Long live the socialist revolution! The destiny has been written down.” “A new period has begun” and continued, “We showed that Venezuela is red. Nobody should be afraid of socialism. Socialism is humane. Socialism is love. Down with imperialism. We need a new world.”
Hugo Chavez’s statement after his re-election, 2006
On the 5th of March, 2 years are completed since Hugo Chavez’s death, who lost the long-term fight with cancer on the age of 58.
Hugo Chavez’s death was not only a loss for the Venezuelan people, but for the global progressive and anti-imperialist movement as well. Chavez has been a symbol of national sovereignty and of progressive reforms. In the name of the former leader of Venezuela, the fight of people for national sovereignty, the abolition of imperialism and popular wellbeing is being symbolized.
Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias was first elected as a president of Venezuela in December 1998, and then was re-elected in 2006 and 2012. Immediately after his inauguration, Chavez introduced some constitutional reforms in the country, that according to the new constitution, it was renamed to “Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela” in honor of the independence’s hero Simon Bolivar. During his reign, that was supported by progressive forces, including Venezuela’s Communist Party, he launched a series of progressive changes under the “Bolivarian process”.
Under Hugo Chavez’s governing, radical reforms were introduced that drastically reduced unemployment, poverty, illiteracy and established healthcare and education as a social good.
The victory of progressive forces and the results of the Bolivarian process had a great impact on the whole world, as it brought radical changes not only in Venezuela, but in the whole Latin America. Bolivarian Process’ Venezuela supported socialist Cuba, while it largely contributed in the formation of regional organizations in Latin America for true independence, creating political organizations for economic completion, such as the Bank of South as well as CELAC, ALBA, Petrosur, Petrocaribe, UNASUR, MERCOSUR, και Telesur.
Venezuela and the rest Latin America countries made clear to the rest world that there are alternative economic and social growth solutions in the 21st century, that can bring in the center, people and its real needs.