Kolkata, March 23 (IANS) Paying rich tributes to late Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, the Left Saturday exuded confidence that the Latin Amrican nation will continue to follow the path shown by their leader and carry on the fight against neo-imperialism.
“His death surely is a big setback for Venezuela. But we are confident that his countrymen will continue following his path and carry on the fight that he initiated against neo-imperialism,” said Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.
Bhattacharjee and members of several Left parties had assembled at the city’s Nazrul Mancha to pay tribute to Chavez who lost his battle against cancer March 5 at the age of 58.
Crediting the socialist leader for ‘revolutionising development in Latin America’ Bhattacharjee, a former West Bengal chief minister, said Chavez has shown the world that “neo-liberalism was not the way to progress and prosperity”.
“Under him Venezuela flourished in all fields – be it health, agriculture or industry. He has shown the path to prosperity not only for his own country, but the entire world and he will continue to inspire people the world over,” said Bhattacharjee adding Chavez’s death was a personal loss for all Leftists in the world.
Left Front chairman Biman Bose described Chavez as a “born Leftist” and said he will continue to inspire people the world over.
Venezuelan Ambassador to India Milena Santana Ramirez also paid glowing tribute to Chavez.
“Let us not mourn his death, rather celebrate the legacy of Hugo Chavez and follow his path. We sincerely hope the process of political and social change which he initiated and inspired, continues to flourish,” said Ramirez.
