Hugo Chávez

Hugo Chávez was the President of Venezuela from 1999 until his death in 2013. He advocated for a form of socialism that sought to redistribute wealth and reduce poverty through government control of key industries, particularly oil. Chávez aimed to empower the poor and marginalized, implementing social programs and reforms financed by oil revenues. However, his policies were controversial, leading to economic challenges, politicization of institutions, and criticisms of authoritarianism. Chávez promoted a vision of "Bolivarianism," which emphasized national sovereignty and regional unity against perceived imperialism, particularly from the United States. His legacy remains deeply polarizing.