By TeleSur
Latin American presidents and leaders issued statements Sunday marking the birthday anniversary of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez,, highlighting his legacy in the region and the world.
President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro stressed that Chavez’s legacy is still alive within the South American country.
“65 years of love Commander! We celebrate your life reaffirming the loyalty and commitment you sowed in us. We will defend how you taught us, the happiness of the people you loved so much. Thank you, teacher, for guiding us in the struggle of every day. Chavez is today, live action! “he President Maduro wrote on his Twitter account.
The Cuban head of state Miguel Diaz-Canel recalled a phrase of the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, in which he comments on the ideology of Venezuelan ex-president.
“Fidel said: In Chavez they reincarnated the ideas of Bolivar […]. Perhaps greater attention was never given to the most felt desires and needs of people. Some fruits are already perceived,” The Cuban president said quoting Fidel in a tweet on his Twitter account and added “Our heartfelt tribute to Chavez on the 65th anniversary of his birthday.”
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías, born on July 28, 1954 in Sabanetas de Barinas, was a military man who ran for presidntial elections and became president Venezuela in 1999. He remained in the position for three more terms, winning multiple presidential votes, until his death in 2013.
Chavez was in fact influenced by the Cuban revolution and its leaders Fidel and Raul and made Cuba one of the most important allies of the Venezuelan state.
Meanwhile, Bolivian President Evo Morales said, in a tweet, Hugo Chávez Frías, who he called an eternal friend, “deepened solidarity among brother peoples and fought to realize the dream of the Great Homeland of Liberator Simón Bolívar” and adding “Our tribute to the Commander is to defend the sovereignty of Latin America,” said the Bolivian head of state.”
Earlier, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez also praised the legacy of Commander Hugo Chavez and said that through it the Venezuelan people are fighting the interventionist attempts against the government of Nicolas Maduro.
“You are present today in Venezuela and in Our America. Your Bolivarian and Chavista people resist the imperialist onslaught and defend their sovereignty at all costs. The leftist and progressive forces, from Caracas, raise your ideals. Your legacy guides us, commits us,” Rodriguez stressed in the same social network.
Chavez pushed for regional integration within Latin American peoples and governments, supporting leftist leaders and movements all around the region. He helped establish multiple regional organizations and institutions that would attempt to move Latin America from the United States dominance and neoliberal policies in the region.
Venezuelans march in solidarity at Sao Paulo Forum
Meanwhile, thousands marched through the streets of Caracas Saturday, defending the nation’s right to peace and sovereignty against U.S. pressure to oust President Nicolas Maduro via harsh economic sanctions and the threat of military intervention.
Within the framework of the XXV Sao Paulo Forum, protesters rejected the economic, financial and commercial blockade imposed by Washington against Venezuela. Peaceful demonstrators who filled the streets of Caracas, where the forum is being held, also demanded the release of former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from his 8-year prison sentence. Marchers chanted for peace in Colombia, and overall regional integration.
“The Latin American left has to increase its power so that the people have more power in each country. … Leaders have to include the demands of the people to generate the changes that the territories need,” said Diosdado Cabello, march organizer and President of the Venezuelan National Constituent Assembly (ANC).
“From this crisis and from this war, we are going to get stronger because we are united. … We are not willing to give up, whatever happens we will continue to raise the flags of socialism,” said the vice president of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).
“We are going to defend the country with our hearts and our lives, for each one of us who falls, thousands will rise,” Diosdado concluded.
Bolivian President Evo Morales heartily supports the four-day meeting that he calls a space for anti-imperialist peoples and governments fighting for their liberation, ideals and identity to come together.
“From Bolivia , my respect and admiration, mainly, to the creators of this Sao Paulo Forum, for creating a meeting of leftist parties, of anti-imperialist governments that permanently promote the integration of the Latin American people, a people fighting for their liberation, for their ideals and identity,” said the president through a video.
Under the slogan “Peace, Sovereignty and Prosperity of Peoples” the Sao Paolo Forum began July 25. Since then, over 120 Latin American social and political organizations have been debating ways to end the neoliberal offensive and its consequences, including worldwide increases in poverty and inequality.
