They also celebrate the victory of the Great Patriotic Pole, the leftist coalition that won 285 mayoralties on Sunday.

On Monday, thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets of Caracas to commemorate the 71st birthday of the late President Hugo Chavez and to celebrate President Nicolas Maduro’s electoral victory in the July 28, 2024, election.

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The popular mobilization also paid tribute to the Great Patriotic Pole Simon Bolivar (GPPSB), the leftist coalition that won 285 of the country’s 335 mayoralties in Sunday’s municipal elections.

From various points across the capital, Venezuelans gathered to join a march scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. local time from the PDVSA La Campiña complex. The march was set to move through Caracas’s main avenues and end at the Miraflores Presidential Palace. Another group began marching earlier in the day from Block 7 Square toward the Mountain Barracks.

July 28 holds deep symbolic meaning for Venezuela, as it connects the birth of Hugo Chavez with the reaffirmation of the socialist path through popular vote. It is a day that symbolizes struggle, victory and renewed commitment to social justice and national sovereignty.

The Legacy of Commander Hugo Chavez

Born on July 28, 1954, in Sabaneta, Barinas state, Hugo Chavez served as Venezuela’s president from 1999 until his death in 2013. His presidency was marked by unwavering support for the underprivileged and a constant fight against poverty and inequality. He implemented major public policies in health care, education and housing that benefited millions of Venezuelans.

A fervent admirer of Simon Bolivar, Chavez also promoted education significantly. Under his administration, Venezuela achieved Latin America’s highest university enrollment rate thanks to programs like Mission Sucre. It also became the second country in the region to be declared free of illiteracy due to Mission Robinson.

Chavez’s figure remains emblematic, and his legacy—focused on social justice and love for his country—endures in Venezuela’s collective memory.

Ceremony at the Mountain Barracks

Early Monday morning, commemorative activities began with President Nicolas Maduro’s arrival at the Mountain Barracks. Accompanied by political and military leaders, the Venezuelan president paid tribute to Chavez, whose legacy remains the cornerstone of his administration’s plan.

The Mountain Barracks, where Chavez’s remains are interred, became the scene of traditional music, floral offerings, and deep revolutionary fervor.

Among those in attendance were First Lady Cilia Flores, United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Secretary Diosdado Cabello, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, and Ven25+ Campaign Command Chief Jorge Rodriguez. They celebrated the municipal election victory before heading to the mausoleum.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: teleSUR – VTV

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