It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela. We can do no better in summing up his legacy than reproduce the statement of Dr Francisco Dominguez, the secretary of the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign:
“Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias, President of Venezuela, died on March 5th at 4:25 hrs (local time) after a long and hard battle against cancer. He was 58 years old.
He led the progressive transformation of Venezuela by lifting millions of its citizens from poverty – standing against social exclusion, marginalisation and institutional repression – thereby restoring to them a long-overdue dignity.
Under President Chavez’s leadership, his government’s policies improved the life of ordinary Venezuelans as no other government had ever done in the history of that South American nation.
Chavez also played a leading role in the transformation of Latin America into a progressive continent, which in the 21st century is collectively affirming the sovereignty of the nation states that make it up, and where, in different ways and through nationally-specific routes, they have been attempting to build a better world.
Hugo Chavez will continue to symbolise, for decades to come, the aspirations of dignity, sovereignty, justice and a better life as fully empowered citizens, for people all around the world.
He showed that a better world could be constructed.
Our hearts go to his family, friends, comrades, the people of Venezuela, and the people of Latin America”.