Nicolás Maduro Moros
Vice-President
of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Dear friend,
It is with great sadness that I convey to you, the Government and the people of the esteemed Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the condolences of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and my own. We are deeply moved by the distressing news of the passing of President Hugo Chávez Frías.
Along with many compatriots from our Great Homeland, it was with concern and hope that we followed the Commander's battle for his health since June 2011. We were sustained by a strong conviction that, as so often before during his dramatic and extraordinary trajectory, he would eventually overcome the threats to his health.
His loss fills us with despair. Mr. Chávez will take his rightful place in our hearts and minds among the great men and women who have left their mark on the history of our continent.
I had the opportunity to witness his unfailing commitment to the dispossessed, the poorest and the most humble, which defined his political and private persona. He made equality his compass, and the proud sovereignty of his homeland was his constant guide. His emergence changed the face of the Americas for the better, because Mr. Chávez proved that when the will for constructive change is the expression of majority aspiration rather than just a personal enlightenment, it becomes an unstoppable force.
He was a determined campaigner for Latin American brotherhood, and his vision and tenacity are at the root of the new road map for integration, as UNASUR to CELAC, and ALBA to PETROCARIBE owe their origins to Mr. Chávez.
Please accept my fraternal greetings of solidarity, and rest assured of our unswerving commitment to cooperation.
Yours sincerely,
Alicia Bárcena
Executive Secretary
ECLAC
Any queries should be sent to the ECLAC Public Information and Web Services Section in Santiago, Chile.
E-mail: prensa@cepal.org; Telephone: (56 2) 2210 2040.
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