Chávez: A Personal Tribute
He's gone. His two-year cancer struggle ended.
He's sorely missed. He was one of Latin America's most notable leaders. His charisma was special. It was real. His spirit lives. An era ended with his passing. He was the world's leading anti-imperialist hero. He spoke truth to power. He did so courageously. He risked his life doing it.
Obama may have ordered him killed. Very likely he did. Believe it. Chávez did. He had good reason to do so. He said it openly. Castro warned him. He explained how imperial Washington works. Its rap sheet makes serial killers look saintly by comparison. State-sponsored murder is official policy. So is ravaging humanity ruthlessly. Washington does it for wealth, power and dominance. It spurns rule of law principles, democratic values and popular needs.
Chávez was polar opposite. He championed democracy. He established the real thing. He defended civil and human rights. He operated no secret prisons. He didn't invade his neighbors. He engaged them cooperatively. He valued unity and world solidarity. He abhorred torture. He advocated peace, not war. He abolished neoliberal harshness.
He championed populism. Venezuelans loved him for doing so. They elected him overwhelmingly four times. They rallied supportively for him publicly. They did so often. At times, millions turned out. He established free, open and fair elections. Jimmy Carter calls them the world's best. He said so for good reason. They shame America's sham process.
He valued Venezuela's independence. He fought hard to keep it. He refused to surrender to Washington. His used Venezuela's oil wealth responsibly. He lifted millions from poverty. He created economic growth and jobs. He provided essential social services. Major ones are institutionalized.
