In Memory of Hugo Chavez

Hugo Chavez's death took me by shock even though I knew he has been sick. I was babysitting while it happened, and only found out later, when one of my friends mentioned it in passing. I have to admit that previously, I was not entirely familiar with his early life, and I only knew about the reforms he enacted during his presidency. However, I did not know how he got to the position he was in until I decided researching it for this article.

Chavez is an important historical figure that everyone can learn from. While his presidency is a part of what some would call reformist politics, his earlier life proves that he was not afraid of revolutionary tactics. For example, Chavez made a commitment early in his life to fight for social justice. In 1977, Chavez went against his fellow soldiers and defended an alleged Marxist insurgent from torture. After this, Chavez formed a secret revolutionary movement within the military that collaborated with Marxists. In response to the repressive "dictatorship of the IMF," led by Carlos Perez, Chavez and five military units attempted a coup in February 1992. This coup failed and Chavez was imprisoned. Chavez later believed it was best to take power through political elections rather than military coercion. This led to his election as president in 1998. Since then, he has served as the president until his recent death. 

 Additionally, Chavez was an intellectual, who took an interest in history and poetry. He studied Marx, Lenin, and Mao Zedong, and was inspired by the South American leftists Che Guevara, Simon Bolivar, and Velasco. How many presidents of other countries could make the same claims?

While Chavez was not a communist revolutionary, he did do a lot to improve the living conditions for the working people of Venezuela while challenging the imperialist world powers. I can only hope that the leadership in Venezuela will continue in this direction and that it will not be taken over by a party of the ruling class.