Orlando Maneiro Gaspar, Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, emphasized in the Cuban capital that today's commemoration not only marks the 71st anniversary of Commander Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías' birth but also the first year since Nicolás Maduro's reelection as Venezuela's President.

A discussion on the life and legacy of Chávez, described as "Cuba's best friend," took place in the Nicolás Guillén Hall at the Morro-Cabaña Military Historic Park. The event, attended by members of the Diplomatic Corps and representatives of Cuban and Venezuelan institutions, highlighted Chávez's enduring impact on Latin American and Caribbean unity.

The ambassador noted that the recent municipal election victories by the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) served as another fitting tribute on this significant date.

Maneiro Gaspar condemned what he called imperialist efforts to undermine the achievements of the Bolivarian Revolution, initiated by Chávez and continued under Maduro's leadership. He accused the United States of employing unjust sanctions in pursuit of geopolitical dominance while attempting to disrupt revolutionary processes in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.

During the discussion, Maneiro Gaspar and Cuban historian Ernesto Limia Díaz reflected on key moments in the Bolivarian leader's life, from his political formation at Venezuela's Military Academy to his embrace of the ideals espoused by Simón Bolívar, José Martí, Fidel Castro, and Ernesto "Che" Guevara.

Limia recounted Chávez's humble origins in Sabaneta de Barinas, where he was born on July 28, 1954, during a period when the CIA was orchestrating a coup against Guatemala's Jacobo Árbenz. The scholar detailed how Chávez evolved into a transformative political leader who improved millions of Venezuelans' lives while strengthening Latin American and Caribbean integration alongside Fidel Castro.

The Cuban academic highlighted the profound friendship between the two statesmen, their contributions to regional and global peace, and their advocacy for noble ideals benefiting oppressed peoples worldwide. The event underscored Chávez's lasting influence on progressive movements across the hemisphere.