Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! 232 April/May 2013
In memory of Hugo Chavez
In response to the RCG’s message of condolence and solidarity on the death of Hugo Chavez, we received this reply from the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Thank you very much for your kind message.
During this difficult time for us as Venezuelans, your words were greatly appreciated.
In spite of Chavez’s absence, we will always carry with us his example, perhaps the most important of which was his true dedication and constant perseverance to realise his dreams of independence, sovereignty, justice and solidarity.
Thanks again for your support.
SAMUEL MONCADA
Ambassador
‘All of Cuba is hurting for Chavez’
I was in Cuba on 5 March when the death of Hugo Chavez was announced. It had been clear from the night before that he was seriously unwell but his death still came as a shock. On the Cubavision evening news veteran newsreader Rafael Serrano delivered the government statement expressing condolences to Chavez’s family, describing Chavez as a ‘son of Cuba’ and rededicating itself to ‘the unity of revolutionary forces and the integration and independence of Our America’. Serrano was visibly moved as he ended the statement with the words ‘Hasta la victoria siempre!’
The following day as I walked around Havana the overall feeling was one of deep loss. As one man told me: ‘All of Cuba is hurting for Chavez’.
On 7 March I joined thousands and thousands of people queuing to get into Revolution Square to show their solidarity with Chavez and the people of Venezuela at a special memorial. People of all ages and backgrounds stood in line for up to six hours to pay their respects: military cadets, young girls carrying flowers, older men and women from the local CDRs, workers from the Havana West science institutes, Honduran students carrying their national flag.
Similar sites had been set up in cities across the country. In Santiago the first visitor to the memorial was Raul Castro, who placed a white rose in front of Chavez’s picture, before flying to Caracas to attend the funeral the following day.
FRFI READER
North London
Chavez’s revolution will carry on
Thank you for your letter. Yes, it was sad to hear the news about the death of Hugo Chavez. He did good things for Venezuela, especially for the poor. I hope this good work carries on after his death and they do not adopt this greedy capitalism. His revolution will carry on and hopefully be adopted by more countries.
I’m doing well. Regarding my civil case [against the British government and security services for alleged collusion in torture] we are still waiting for in camera documents from the government. The European Court of Human Rights has currently put my case on hold until the civil case is over. As you’ll have seen, the government is trying to pass through a law which will allow them to have secret courts for such cases.
Thank you for all your help in this difficult time and carry on the good work.
RANGZIEB AHMED A6326AC
HMP Full Sutton
