Chavez’s legacy is revisited as ten years pass since his death, with Nicaraguan leader Daniel Ortega and Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro among those reflecting on the Bolivarian project. The gathering, held at the Teresa Carreño cultural center in Caracas, drew allied voices and critics alike. Though meant to honor Chavez, the event also framed Maduro’s leadership as a continuation of the host nation’s political narrative, casting him as a self-styled worker president and rallying point for his followers.
Maduro asserted that if the Hugo Chávez formula has anything meaningful to show in this decade, it is the ability to connect, mobilize, and energize the people at every level. His ascent to the presidency began in an interim capacity and proceeded through elections, marked by a narrow first victory and a subsequent vote without major opposition in 2018. Analysts note a clear distinction between Chavismo and Madurismo, noting there was no guaranteed transfer of Chávez’s social base to Maduro’s coalition. The decades-long crisis has widened divisions among Chávez’s former supporters, with the economy shrinking dramatically—from peaks notched earlier to a steep decline in GDP over the 2013–2022 period. During the public celebration, Maduro urged participants not to abandon joy and critique, encouraging continued mobilization in support of the movement. Attendees included notable regional figures, such as Raul Castro and Rafael Correa, alongside Bolivian president Luis Arce and other guests.
Chavez’s values—love, loyalty, and victory—were described as guiding principles ten years after his death. The crowd heard that the people transformed grief into resilience, maintaining street momentum and daily efforts to defend the Fatherland and advance the Bolivarian project toward its envisioned future.
#Live | Closing the World Meeting for the Validity of Commander Chávez’s Bolivarian Idea in the 21st Century. [citation] Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) March 5, 2023
Evening remarks highlighted sustained support for Madurismo, with applause greeting speakers. One speaker drew a parallel between Chávez’s driving force and the Cuban revolution, noting how Chávez dedicated years to achieving political aims. A sense of shared mourning lingered for the late leader among friends and allies, including Fidel Castro’s family. Correa described the Bolivarian cause as subject to regional considerations and argued that the most meaningful tribute is to remain revolutionary and anti-imperialist in practice.
other opinions
Unofficial media outlets offered diverse takes on the decade since Chávez, including critical assessments of the Chávez cult’s waning influence and Maduro’s role in shaping the present. The El Nacional commentary suggested that Chávez’s demigod status had faded, while the Cocuyo portal described Venezuela as a society with significant military influence and questioned ongoing opposition strategy. Other outlets argued that Maduro’s leadership has intensified the party’s hold while facing persistent challenges in governance and policy execution.
Tal Cual highlighted a list of ten policy shifts attributed to Maduro after Chávez’s death, such as currency policy considerations and changes in energy strategy. It noted that, during a period of global disruption, several joint ventures with foreign companies were adjusted under sanction-related licenses, reflecting broader shifts in oil and gas diplomacy with the United States. The report also touched on tax and regulatory debates that have shaped foreign investment and domestic enterprise in Venezuela.
The era of Chávez’s nationalization drive, which included hundreds of companies between 2002 and 2012, is recalled as part of a broader economic transformation. The closure of casinos and bingo halls in Chávez’s time is mentioned as having affected thousands of workers, with later discussions about potential openings in the country’s international casino landscape surfacing in policy debates. The narrative suggests lingering tensions around how past actions influence present economic policy choices.
left-wing dissidents
As new political currents emerge, Tal Cual notes friction between the government and certain left forces such as the Communist Party, which has expressed disagreements with Miraflores Palace policies. Maduro has referenced former allies in discussing current strategy, including movements like the Tupamaro and other popular organizations. Critics warn that the Chávez era’s promises have collided with evolving political realities, prompting debates about leadership, accountability, and the direction of the republic. Some voices argue that a section of the working class remains mired in hardship, while a new political and economic class has gained ground, challenging old structures and reshaping public power dynamics.