Biography Of Hugo Chavez

The late Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez was exceptional in numerous areas of political, social and economic spheres of life, probably more than all the other Latin American politicians. He aimed at joining forces with the Caribbean, in order to unite both regions that he felt had much in common but has continued to be separated by the embedded legacies of Colonialism (Edmonds, 2013). Many renowned writes have written about his momentous contributions made mainly in the economic domains. This article will examine the unique contributions that Chavez has made in the spheres of political economy, social and economic domains and in establishing relations between political leaders in Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition, this paper will estimate his success against the forces of neoliberalism. The paper begins with a popular definition of regionalism and continues with his enduring contributions to the development of Latin American and Caribbean regionalism.

Payne and Gamble define regionalism as ‘a state-led or states-led project designed to reorganize a particular regional space along defined economic and political lines’ (1996, p.2). From the time when Chavez’s election was held in 1999, he had always wished to strengthen the relationship between Latin America and the Caribbean by uniting both regions. Not long after, Chavez began to form strong relationships with the Anglophone Caribbean (Edmonds, 2013). By the year 2009 the Caribbean islands of Antigua, Dominica and St, Vincent had joined the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA) which was formerly made up of Venezuela and Cuba (Edmonds, 2013). This Alliance was formed with the aim of eradicating poverty, promoting sustainable development and social justice holding...

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... unfortunate people in the Caribbean and all over the world. As Tariq Ali rightfully said, ‘he was one of the political giants of the post-communist era’. The Caribbean, which remains on the margin of the international economy in their times of need received a helping hand from Venezuela and Hugo Chavez. He was not just appreciated in the region for his support, but also for what he embodied. This can be seen in all of the commiserations presented by the Caribbean leaders on behalf of their country. Chavez stood up against bullying by regimes who sought after his downfall. He wanted to construct a society upon harmony and social justice. Comrade Chávez did all that he could for his people of Venezuela as well as for the people of Latin America and in extension the world. He will always be remembered for bringing together as a whole the Caribbean and Latin America.