2013: The US Response to Hugo Chavez’s Death and Funeral

President Hugo Chavez died on March 5, 2013.President Obama offered no condolences to the Family of Hugo Chavez or to the Venezuelan people on his death. Obama appointed a delegation to represent the United States at his funeral which consisted of one current member of Congress (Gregory Meeks, D-NY) and one former Congressman (William Delahunt, D-MA). Delahunt and Meeks were among a group of American and Venezuelan officials that began meeting in 2002 to improve relations between Chavez and the US government. Obama’s decision to send a delegation to the funeral was criticized by Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) who called the decision “weak and irresponsible.”[1]

Former President Jimmy Carter issued a statement:[2]

·       “Rosalynn and I extend our condolences to the family of Hugo Chavez. We met Hugo Chavez when he was campaigning for President in 1998 and the Carter Center was invited to observe elections for the first time in Venezuela. We returned often, for the 2000 elections, and then to facilitate dialogue during the political conflict of 2002-2004. We came to know a man who expressed a vision to bring profound changes to his country to benefit especially those people who had felt neglected and marginalized. Although we have not agreed with all of the methods followed by his government, we have never doubted Hugo Chavez’s commitment to improving the lives of millions of his fellow countrymen.”  

Chavez visited the South Bronx in 2005 at the invitation of Congressman Jose Serrano (D-NY)  which led to Chavez providing $5 million to support community programs. Serrano said: “Hugo Chavez was a leader that understood the needs of the poor. He was committed to empowering the powerless.”  The Republican National Committee issued a statement that it was “simply insulting that a Democrat congressman would praise the authoritarian ruler Hugo Chavez.” [3]

The New York Times ran a story and published photos of Venezuelan expatriates in Florida celebrating Chavez’s death.[4] The Times reported on “raucous celebration” in Miami-Dade County.



1.      New York Times, Queens Congressman Attends Chavez Funeral, March 8, 2013

2.      Carter Center, Statement from Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter on the Death of Hugo Chavez, March 5, 2013

3.      USA Today, N.Y. Dem Slammed for Praising Hugo Chavez, March 6, 2013

4.      New York Times, Venezuelan Expatriates See a Reason to Celebrate, March 5,2013

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