Hugo Chávez will achieve an icon status among Latin American left-wing groups that could rival that of Che Guevara within a few years. The whole of Latin America is starting a new page in its history.' Patricio Silva, professor of Latin American history, sheds light on the death of Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela.
Bolivarian Revolution
After the official announcement of Chávez's death, thousands of supporters took to the streets screaming and crying to share their great collective grief. With the cry Viva Chavez! his followers declared their loyalty to the leader even after his death. The big question is what political course Venezuela will take after the departure of the charismatic and all-determining leader.
RTL Nieuws broadcast in which the mourning crowd can be seen to Chavez's followers.
The upcoming general election, which according to the constitution must be held within four weeks, will most likely be won by Vice President Maduro; that is more or less certain. What is more difficult to predict is whether the Bolivarian revolution will now take an even more radical course and closer ties with Cuba.”
Four times president
“Last week it was clear that Chavez's death could be a matter of days or even hours. Throughout his illness, his compatriots have heard nothing from the Venezuelan government about Chávez's illness and the seriousness of his condition. In October 2012, Chávez won the presidential elections for the fourth time.
During the campaign, many political analysts questioned whether he would be fit enough to lead the country for another six years. Chávez and his supporters claimed so. In reality, however, Chávez had to fly back to Cuba for further medical treatment shortly after his victory and was unable to even witness his installation.”
High oil price
Chavez had big plans for oil-rich Venezuela and all of Latin America. For one thing, he wanted to remain in power until at least 2030. In that year he would personally lead the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the death of his great hero and inspirer, Simón Bolívar. He wanted to realize the dream of Bolívar, a united Latin America, through a left-radical political ideology.
The high price of oil allowed Chávez to fund many social programs for the poorest populations. With this he not only fought poverty but also built an excellent electoral base among millions of Venezuelans.”
Latin America's most corrupt country
"It is too early to evaluate Chavez's 13-year reign but it is likely to yield a mixed result. On the one hand, he has done a lot for the poor Venezuelans, although the petrodollars were earned relatively easily.
On the other hand, during his regime, Venezuela's agricultural and industrial production has been neglected and inflation has reached unprecedented levels. Crime and street violence have completely spiraled out of control and, according to Transparency International, Venezuela is today the most corrupt country in Latin America.”
Funeral
Chávez has also played a particularly active role internationally. He took on the United States, which earned him a lot of sympathy in many developing countries. He wanted to realize socialism not only in his own country, but in the whole of Latin America. Over the years, Chávez emerged as the absolute leader of the Latin American left and became the natural successor to Fidel Castro whose revolutionary brilliance had long faded.
Through generous loans, donations and infectious rhetoric, Chávez has forged alliances with other left-wing populist leaders in the region, such as Bolivia's Evo Morales, Ecuador's Rafael Correa, Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega, and Argentina's Cristina Fernández. They were among the many Latin American leaders who attended Chávez's funeral on March 8."
'Socialism of the 21st Century'
“But Chávez also directly interfered in the internal affairs of other countries such as Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, Peru and Chile. He did this, among other things, by providing direct financial support to leftist groups in those countries and by openly criticizing the policies of the governments. This has made Chávez less popular with moderate and right-wing governments in Latin America who perceived his '21st century socialism' as a direct threat to the stability of their countries."
New page in history
“Hugo Chávez will achieve iconic status among Latin American left-wing groups, perhaps matching that of Che Guevara in a few years' time. What is certain is that with the death of Chávez, not only Venezuela but also the rest of Latin America has started a new page in its history. Chávez leaves a leadership vacuum that cannot be easily filled.”