Farewell, Hugo Chavez

Photo credits to the New York Times.

Before beginning his fourteen-year-long presidency in 1998, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez started off in the Venezuelan military, and later helped lead a coup d’etat in 1992 against former President Carlos Andrez Perez, whom was later removed from office.   Inspired by political figures Simon Bolivar and Colonel Muammar el-Qaddafi of Libya, Chavez hoped to unite the region around Venezuela, and wanted to rid of anything influenced by the United States. 

Yet, despite his resentment towards the United States, this past Wednesday marked a day of extreme sadness and loss in Venezuela, as Hugo Chavez died of pelvic cancer at the age of fifty-eight.  With Chavez now dead, there is one main question many in the world have begun to ask themselves: What is to happen to Venezuela?

Since his death, the streets of Venezuela have been filled with thousands of supporters, some to grieve and some to protest for a continuation of Chavez’s policies, and the government has called for seven days of mourning that include no school, no work, and no alcohol.  Many of Chavez’s followers have been waving red, blue, and yellow flags outside of the Fuerte Tiuna Military Academy, the current residency of Chavez’s body, for the last few days.  Meanwhile, elections for the next President are to be in thirty days, and Chavez’s successor, Vice President Maduro, seems to be the likely candidate for the United Socialist Party in Venezuela. 

Regarding Venezuela’s relations with foreign markets, oil prices are definitely subject to change.  With Venezuela being one of the world’s largest producers of oil, many nations now have to question how Chavez’s death and the new leadership will affect the rest of the global market.  Furthermore, how will the United States deal with such a loss, and will its policies towards Venezuela change in the weeks to come?

With the end of a fourteen-year term, Venezuela now faces the challenge as to what to do next.  However, the spirit of Hugo Chavez continues to live on as thousands mourn and grieve for their lost “Comandante.”