"Chavez was Chavez, he is still in us", assures Luisa Adrian, 56, in a queue in Caracas to enter the barracks where lies the remains of former President Hugo Chavez (1999-2013), deceased of cancer ten years ago.
After gathering at various points in the heart of the capital, supporters of the former president converged on the "Barracks of the 4F mountain", a place converted into a sort of sanctuary and which had served as a base for Chavez during his failed coup attempt in 1992. A failed coup that made him famous.
"He was the best, a commander, a leader, a wonderful leader with his people, he taught us a lot, he left us so many things that ten or twenty years can pass and you can still feel it", continues Luisa . "We have to pass on the legacy to new generations. That's why I'm here with my two-and-a-half-year-old grandson."
Some supporters came with flowers or drums. "Chavez lives, the homeland continues", they shouted in particular.
Caracas has been organizing events since Friday in tribute to Chavez for the tenth anniversary of his death.
"Ten years later and there has been no absence: there has been a permanent presence of his ideal and the sworn commitment to advance in the construction of the independent, sovereign and socialist homeland", affirmed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday.
President of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega, President of Bolivia Luis Arce and Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves traveled to Venezuela to take part in these commemorations.
The former presidents of Cuba, Raul Castro, of Bolivia, Evo Morales, of Ecuador, Rafael Correa and of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, were also present in the Venezuelan capital.
"It is the day of the passage to immortality of Commander Hugo Chavez, today more than ever we must join forces (...) to continue to lead the battle for the freedom of our peoples", declared Mr. Ortega on Venezuelan public television.
"We are witnessing Maduro's leadership in continuing the work of Chavez and his ability to resist and win," said Raul Castro.
Socialist-inspired, Chavez ruled Venezuela from 1999 until his death on March 5, 2013. During this time, he maintained close relationships with left-wing leaders in Latin America.
Fighting against cancer, he had appointed Nicolas Maduro as his successor. Mr. Maduro took power three days after Chavez's death was announced, then was elected on April 14 of the same year. His re-election in 2018 was not recognized by the opposition or by part of the international community, including the United States, leading to economic sanctions.
06/03/2023 07:49:35 - Caracas (AFP) - © 2023 AFP
