HAVANA: Condolences poured in yesterday from world leaders who had found common cause with Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez in his 14-year campaign to galvanise the Latin American left and defy US “imperialism”.
Ideological allies in Latin America lined up to salute the late firebrand as Russia, China and Iran paid tribute to a key regional partner, while the United States expressed hope for improved ties with oil-rich Venezuela.
Cuba hailed Chavez as a “true son” to the communist nation’s retired 86-year-old revolutionary icon Fidel Castro and declared three days of mourning in honour of its closest regional ally.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called Chavez an “uncommon and strong man who looked into the future and always set the highest target for himself” and thanked him for laying the “solid basis” for Russia-Venezuela relations. China called him a “great leader” and a “great friend of the Chinese people”.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Chavez had fallen as a “martyr” to a “suspect illness”. “Venezuela lost its brave, strong son and the world lost a wise and revolutionary leader,” Ahmadinejad added.
Washington’s response to the death of Chavez, who had repeatedly thumbed his nose at the United States and referred to president George W Bush as a “donkey” and the “devil,” was more circumspect. “At this challenging time of President Hugo Chavez’s passing, the United States reaffirms its support for the Venezuelan people and its interest in developing a constructive relationship with the Venezuelan government,” President Barack Obama said in a short statement.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid tribute to Chavez’s work on behalf of his country’s poor and his support of Colombia’s peace process, saying he “spoke to the challenges and aspirations of the most vulnerable Venezuelans.”
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said Chavez was a “great Latin American... a great leader, an irreparable loss and above all a friend of Brazil”. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said Chavez’s death was “a great loss for Venezuela and the region, for Colombia and for me personally”. Bolivia’s socialist President Evo Morales said he was “crushed” by his friend’s death. “We are in pain,” Morales added.
French President Francois Hollande praised Chavez’s determination “to fight for justice,” saying he had “profoundly marked his country’s history”. British Foreign Secretary William Hague said he was “saddened” by the death, saying Chavez had left a “lasting impression” on Venezuela’s people. Germany also offered condolences, saying it hoped Venezuela would embrace democracy. AFP
