Hugo Chávez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hugo Chávez
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Chávez in 2011
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| President of Venezuela | |
| In office 14 April 2002 – 5 March 2013 |
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| Vice Presidents |
See list
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| Preceded by | Diosdado Cabello (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Nicolás Maduro |
| In office 2 February 1999 – 11 April 2002 |
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| Vice Presidents |
See list
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| Preceded by | Rafael Caldera |
| Succeeded by | Pedro Carmona (acting) |
| President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela | |
| In office 24 March 2007 – 5 March 2013 |
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| Deputy | Diosdado Cabello |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Nicolás Maduro |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías
28 July 1954 Sabaneta, Venezuela |
| Died | 5 March 2013 (aged 58) Caracas, Venezuela |
| Resting place | Cuartel de la Montaña, Caracas |
| Political party | PSUV (from 2007) |
| Other political affiliations |
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| Spouses |
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| Children | 4, including María Gabriela |
| Parents |
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| Alma mater | Military Academy of Venezuela |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Venezuela |
| Branch/service | Venezuelan Army |
| Years of service | 1971–1992 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (28 July 1954 – 5 March 2013) was a Venezuelan politician. He served as the president of Venezuela from 1999 until his death in 2013. He was also the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party. Later, he led the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).
Chávez was born into a middle-class family in Sabaneta, Barinas. He became a military officer. In the early 1980s, he started a secret group called the Revolutionary Bolivarian Movement-200 (MBR-200). In 1992, Chávez led an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the government. He was sent to prison but was later released.
After leaving prison, he started the Fifth Republic Movement party. He was elected president in 1998. He won again in 2000 and 2006. In October 2012, he won his fourth term as president. However, he was very sick with cancer and passed away on 5 March 2013, at age 58.
After a new constitution was approved in 1999, Chávez focused on social changes. He called this the Bolivarian Revolution. His government used high oil money to take control of important industries. They also started social programs called Bolivarian missions. These programs aimed to help people get food, housing, healthcare, and education.
During Chávez's time, Venezuela saw some improvements in poverty and education. However, by the end of his presidency, the economy faced problems. There were more shortages and rising prices. Critics also said that under Chávez, Venezuela became less democratic. They pointed to issues with press freedom and how critics were treated.
Internationally, Chávez became friends with socialist leaders in Cuba, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Nicaragua. He was a strong opponent of the United States's foreign policy. He also supported cooperation among countries in Latin America. His ideas are known as "Chavismo".
Contents
Early Life and Military Career
Growing Up in Venezuela
Hugo Chávez was born on 28 July 1954. He grew up in a small village called Sabaneta, Barinas. His parents were schoolteachers. His family had roots from Native American, Afro-Venezuelan, and Spanish people.
As a child, Chávez was interested in history. He admired a 19th-century general named Ezequiel Zamora. When he was older, he and his brother moved to live with their grandmother to attend high school.
Joining the Military Academy
At 17, Chávez went to the Venezuelan Academy of Military Sciences in Caracas. The academy taught military skills and other subjects. Civilian professors also gave lectures.
While in Caracas, he played baseball and softball. He also enjoyed writing and painting. He became interested in the revolutionary Che Guevara after reading his book. In 1974, he visited Peru and met President General Juan Velasco Alvarado. Velasco's ideas that the military should help the working classes inspired Chávez.
He also met Omar Torrijos, the leader of Panama. Torrijos's land reform programs impressed him. Chávez graduated from the military academy in 1975.
Starting a Secret Movement
After graduating, Chávez worked as a communications officer. He started to question the army's actions. In 1977, he formed a secret group within the military. He hoped to bring a leftist government to Venezuela one day. This group was called the Venezuelan People's Liberation Army.
He also met with Marxist leaders. During this time, he married Nancy Colmenares. They had three children together.
The Bolivarian Revolutionary Army-200
Five years later, Chávez formed a new secret group: the Revolutionary Bolivarian Movement-200 (MBR-200). He was inspired by three historical figures: Simón Bolívar, Simón Rodríguez, and Ezequiel Zamora. These three became known as the "three roots" of his movement.
In 1984, he met Herma Marksman, a history teacher. Another soldier, Francisco Arias Cárdenas, also joined the MBR-200. Chávez was later moved to a remote barracks. This was because some senior officers became suspicious of his activities.
1992 Coup Attempt
In 1989, Carlos Andrés Pérez became president. He made economic changes that angered many people. This led to widespread protests and looting. The government used the military to stop the unrest.
Chávez began planning a military coup. It was called Operation Zamora. The plan was to take over military and communication sites. The coup attempt happened on 4 February 1992. However, it quickly failed. Chávez had the loyalty of less than 10% of the military.
Chávez surrendered and appeared on television. He told the remaining rebels to stop fighting. He famously said they had failed "por ahora" (for now). Many Venezuelans, especially the poor, saw him as someone fighting against corruption. He was arrested and imprisoned. Another coup attempt happened in November 1992, which also failed. President Pérez was later removed from office due to corruption charges.
Rise to Power
After being released from prison in 1994, Chávez was not allowed to return to the military. He traveled around Venezuela and Latin America. He met Fidel Castro in Cuba and became friends with him.
Chávez and his supporters then started a political party. It was called the Fifth Republic Movement (MVR). This party was formed in July 1997 to support Chávez in the 1998 Venezuelan presidential election.
1998 Presidential Election
Chávez's message of change gained him a lot of support. He was supported by various groups, including the working class. Many people were frustrated with corruption and wanted a strong leader.
By August 1998, Chávez's support in polls was growing. In the election, 63% of voters participated. Chávez won the election with 56.2% of the votes.
Presidency (1999–2013)
First Term: 1999–2001
Chávez became president on 2 February 1999. He promised to make big changes to Venezuela. He wanted to create a "new republic." He appointed new people to government jobs, including military friends.
Chávez started a social program called Plan Bolívar 2000. This plan used soldiers to help repair roads and hospitals. They also offered free medical care and sold food at low prices. However, some problems with corruption were later reported in this program.
Changing the Constitution
Chávez wanted to rewrite the Venezuelan constitution. He called for a public vote to create a special assembly for this. Most voters supported his idea.
In July, elections were held for this assembly. Chávez's supporters won most of the seats. This new assembly then wrote a new constitution. This new constitution gave more power to the president. It also changed the country's name to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
The new constitution was approved by voters in December 1999. It aimed to protect the environment and indigenous people. It also gave the military a role in government.
In May 2000, Chávez started his own radio show, Aló Presidente (Hello, President). He also had a TV show and started newspapers. On these shows, he talked about his policies and connected with citizens.
Second Term: 2001–2007
Under the new constitution, new elections were held in July 2000. Chávez won again with 60% of the vote. His former friend, Francisco Arias Cárdenas, was his main opponent.
Chávez strengthened ties with Cuba. Venezuela sent oil to Cuba at special prices. In return, Cuba sent doctors and teachers to Venezuela. However, relations with the United States became difficult. Chávez criticized the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan.
In 2001, Chávez's supporters in the National Assembly allowed him to pass many new laws. This angered the opposition. Venezuela is rich in oil. Chávez started to use the profits from the state oil company, PDVSA, for social programs. These programs were called "Bolivarian missions." They aimed to fight poverty and improve education and health.
Opposition and Protests
Many people opposed Chávez's government. They worried he was trying to turn Venezuela into a dictatorship. They pointed to his friendship with Fidel Castro and Cuba's one-party system.
In 2001, parents protested against new education plans. They said the textbooks were filled with government propaganda. This protest was successful, and the government changed its plans.
An opposition group called the Democratic Coordinator was formed. It united many political parties and businesses against Chávez. They accused his government of centralizing power.
Coup Attempt and Strikes
Chávez wanted to use PDVSA's money for his political projects. He replaced oil experts with his political allies. This led to anger and protests. In April 2002, Chávez appointed new leaders to PDVSA.
On 11 April 2002, a large march took place. Nineteen people were killed. Military officers then decided to remove support from Chávez. Chávez was detained, and a business leader, Pedro Carmona, declared himself president. However, protests supporting Chávez quickly led to Carmona's resignation. Chávez returned to power on 14 April.
After the coup attempt, Chávez fired about 19,000 striking employees from PDVSA. This caused a big loss of skilled workers in the oil industry. The opposition also called for a recall referendum, which is a vote to remove a president from office. In 2004, this vote was held, but Chávez won and remained in power.
"Socialism of the 21st Century"
In 2005, Chávez began talking about "socialism of the 21st century." He said this was different from the older Marxist-Leninist socialism. He wanted to promote a more democratic form of socialism in Latin America.
In 2006, Chávez visited Europe. He offered cheap Venezuelan oil to poor communities. The Mayor of London welcomed him.
Third Term: 2007–2013
In the December 2006 election, Chávez was re-elected with 63% of the vote. After this win, he promised to expand his "revolution."
United Socialist Party and Policies
On 15 December 2006, Chávez announced that his supporting parties would join together. They formed one large party called the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). He said old party names were not important for the country.
In 2007, the government decided not to renew the license of a TV channel, RCTV. This forced the channel to stop broadcasting. Thousands of people protested against this decision. Many international groups also expressed concerns about press freedom.
The government also suggested changes to the constitution in 2007. These changes would have given the president more power. However, voters rejected these changes in a public vote. This was Chávez's first election loss.
In 2009, Chávez held another referendum. This vote was to remove term limits for all public offices, including the presidency. This change was approved by voters. This meant Chávez could run for president indefinitely.
Fourth Term: 2013
On 7 October 2012, Chávez won his fourth presidential election. He secured another six-year term. However, his victory margin was smaller than before.
His new term was supposed to start on 10 January 2013. But Chávez was in Cuba for cancer treatment. The Supreme Court decided to postpone his inauguration. This decision caused debate.
Chávez's health worsened. On 5 March 2013, he passed away in Caracas. His Vice President, Nicolás Maduro, took over his duties. Maduro was later elected president.
Political Ideas
Chávez promoted "socialism of the 21st century." He wanted to create a democratic form of socialism in Latin America.
Bolivarianism
Hugo Chávez called his political ideas Bolivarianism. This idea came from Simón Bolívar, a 19th-century general. Bolívar fought against Spanish rule in Latin America. Chávez also drew inspiration from Simón Rodríguez, Bolívar's teacher, and Ezequiel Zamora, a Venezuelan general.
Other Influences
Chávez was also influenced by other Latin American socialist leaders. He admired Che Guevara and Fidel Castro from Cuba. He also saw his socialist policies as connected to the teachings of Jesus Christ. He often used the slogan "Christ is with the Revolution!"
Policies and Impact
Economy and Social Programs
The red line represents trends of annual rates given throughout the period shown
GDP is in billions of Local Currency Unit that has been adjusted for inflationSources: International Monetary Fund, World Bank
From 1998, Chávez's government used money from high oil prices for social programs. These programs were called the Bolivarian Missions. They aimed to improve life for Venezuelans. They built free medical clinics and provided food and housing help.
These programs led to temporary improvements in poverty and education. The number of people living in poverty decreased. More people learned to read and write.
However, Venezuela's economy relied too much on oil. When oil prices changed, the economy became vulnerable. Economists say that too much spending and strict business rules caused problems. This led to rising prices and shortages of goods.
Food and Products
Chávez wanted to make sure everyone had access to food. He set price limits on basic foods in 2003. This helped reduce malnutrition-related deaths. He also took over and shared farmland from large owners.
However, these price controls also caused shortages. Businesses found it hard to import goods. Chávez blamed "speculators" for the scarcities. Food shortages became common in his later years.
Chávez started a chain of government supermarkets called the Mercal network. These stores sold food at very low prices. But they also faced shortages of basic items.
Currency Controls
In 2003, the government created a currency control board. This board limited how much foreign money people could get. This led to a black market for foreign currency.
The black market made it hard for businesses to buy necessary goods. This also contributed to shortages. The Venezuelan currency lost value.
Elections Under Chávez
Chávez won many elections during his presidency. He used state money for his campaigns. He also encouraged lower-class voters to participate.
Critics raised concerns about the fairness of elections. They said the government controlled the electoral council. There were also worries that people's votes might not be secret.
Concerns About Corruption
When Chávez became president, he promised to fight corruption. However, some groups said that corruption became widespread. They pointed to a lack of transparency in the government.
In 2004, Chávez's allies gained control of the Supreme Court. This allowed the government to remove judges. International organizations like Transparency International reported that corruption worsened in Venezuela during his later years.
Human Rights Concerns
Human rights groups like Freedom House and Amnesty International raised concerns. They said that freedom in Venezuela declined. They criticized the government for how it handled protests.
They also pointed to issues with the independence of the justice system. Some judges were arrested on corruption charges. Critics said this created a "climate of fear."
Media and the Press
Under Chávez, press freedom also faced challenges. Critics said the government used state-run media to spread its message. They also said the government pressured private media organizations.
Reporters Without Borders said that Venezuela became one of the worst countries for press freedom. Freedom House also rated Venezuela's press as "Not Free."
Chávez used social media like Twitter to communicate. He saw it as a way to connect with the public and promote his revolution.
Foreign Policy
Chávez focused on working with other Latin American countries. He created agreements for trade and aid. He also used Venezuela's oil to build relationships with other nations.
He formed alliances with countries like Cuba and Iran. He was very critical of the United States's foreign policy. He opposed the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
Illness and Death
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In June 2011, Chávez announced he had cancer. He had surgery in Cuba. His Vice President said Chávez was still fully in charge.
He continued to receive treatment in Cuba. In July 2012, he said he was fully recovered. He then won his fourth presidential election. However, in November 2012, he announced he needed more cancer treatment.
He had another surgery in December 2012. He suffered from a lung infection and breathing problems. On 18 February 2013, he returned to Venezuela.
On 5 March 2013, Vice President Nicolás Maduro announced that Hugo Chávez had died. He passed away in a military hospital in Caracas. He was 58 years old.
After his death, a new presidential election was called. Nicolás Maduro, his vice president, was elected president.
Recognition
Time magazine included Chávez on its list of the world's 100 most influential people in 2005 and 2006. He was recognized for his influence in Latin America. In 2006, a British magazine called him one of the "Heroes of our time."
A park in Minsk, Belarus, was named after Chávez in 2014. Streets in Al-Bireh and Moscow were also named in his honor.
Images for kids
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Raúl Reyes
See also
In Spanish: Hugo Chávez para niños
