Secretary-General Saddened by Death of President of Venezuela Hugo Chávez;

Says Spoke to Challenges, Aspirations of ‘the Most Vulnerable Venezuelans’

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General was saddened by the death of Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.  He offers his condolences to the family of the President, the Government and the people of Venezuela.

President Chávez spoke to the challenges and aspirations of the most vulnerable Venezuelans.  He provided decisive impetus for new regional integration movements, based on an eminently Latin American vision, while showing solidarity toward other nations in the hemisphere.  His contribution to the current peace talks in Colombia between the Government of President Juan Manuel Santos and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has been of vital importance.

The Secretary-General renews the commitment of the United Nations to work alongside the Government and the people of Venezuela in support of its development and prosperity.

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For information media • not an official record