Biography of Hugo Chávez Frías

(1954/07/28 - 2013/03/05)

Hugo Chávez Frías
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías
Venezuelan military and politician

He was born on July 28, 1954 in Sabaneta, Barinas State.
Son of Hugo de los Reyes Chávez and Elena Frías de Chávez (both teachers), who lived in a field where there was not even electric generator. His mother gave birth at home of his mother-in-law Rosa Inés Chávez, with whom he grew up. Despite living in different houses, family contact was not lost.
He attended primary school at the Julián Pino school group in Sabaneta. High school at the Liceo Daniel Florencio O'Leary, graduating Bachelor of science. Performs the superiors in the military of Venezuela Academy, where he graduated with the rank of second lieutenant on July 5, 1975. Also has a degree in science and military arts, Engineering Branch, terrestrial mention. It was the eighth in its promotion and highlighted mainly in activities relating to field operations.
Those forged friendship with Felipe Acosta Carles, who shared readings and Bolivarian ideas. Carles death was a hard blow for the then largest Chávez. In the days from February 27, the friend was guarding an area affected by riots when a bullet killed him. "I saved me because I had lechina. Followed promotion to Lieutenant Colonel that rumors about his revolutionary ideals. He did a master's degree in political science at the University Simón Bolívar, who left unfinished because of the military coup of the 4F. In 1990 he started the course of staff. According to comments attributed to another military officer, had trouble passing a subject of the course, which dealt with information of military operations. Finally supposedly approved thanks to the proceedings carried out by then-President Carlos Andrés Pérez.
During the days prior to the first elections of Governors, mayors and Councillors, was investigated for conspiring and arrested as a precautionary measure. In the National armed forces has occupied various positions: Commander of the Peloton of communications, battalion of hunters Cedeño, Barinas/Cumaná, 1975-77. Platoon commander and company of tanks AMX-30, armoured battalion Bravos de Apure, Maracay 1978-79. Company Commander and head of the Department of physical education in the Military Academy of Venezuela, 1980-81. Head of the Department of culture of the same Academy in 1982. Founder of the José Antonio Páez Company Commander, military course, Academia Militar de Venezuela, 1983-84. Commander of the Francisco Farfán Cavalry Squadron, Elorza (Apure, 1985-86). Major founder of the core military development border Arauca-Meta, 1986-87-88. Chief Assistant of the National Council of security and defence, White Palace, Miraflores, 1988-89. Official of civil affairs Brigade of hunters, Maturin, 1990. Commander of the Colonel Antonio Nicholas Briceño parachutists battalion, headquarters Paez, Maracay, from 1991 until February 4, 1992.
Being Lieutenant-Colonel he tried to overthrow the Government of Andrés Pérez with a coup on 4 February 1992 which killed almost 100 people. Unsuccessful rebellion, he surrendered and was arrested. Charges rose to two years in prison without trial and was granted an Honorable withdrawal of the army by then-President Rafael Caldera. At that time he started his political movement founded the Movement Fifth Republic. He was democratically elected President in 1998 with 58% of the votes. Chavez took office on 2 February 1999. It prompted fundamental changes in the Constitution of Venezuela. On July 30, 2000 general election to "relegitimize all powers" were won with 59.76% of the votes. Popular in Venezuela unrest precipitated his fall after three days of indefinite strike. The armed forces were declared in absentia by the harsh repression of a protest, in which snipers and police officers and killed 16 people and wounded 100. Chavez, cornered, was delivered to a Commission of three generals. It is said that he resigned on April 12, 2002, after the military and civil society asked for her resignation, and was arrested in Fort Tiuna. The President of the Association of entrepreneurs, Fedecamaras, Pedro Carmona, took ownership of the Transitional Government military of Venezuela in interim form. April 13 pro-Chávez groups manifested in Caracas and occur looting shops in the city. The general Raúl Baudel stands with a brigade of paratroopers in favor of Chavez in Maracay. Jesús Briceño, new Minister of the Secretariat, recognized that Chavez did not resign. The general Efraín Vásquez, Commander general of the army, said that the interim Government has made mistakes and conditions the military support. Marisabel Rodríguez says her husband, Hugo Chávez, did not resign and they have him kidnapped. Leaders chavistas emitted from the public channel VTV and say that they control Miraflores. Vice President Diosdado Cabello assumes the Presidency for Lara. Carmona announced his resignation and recognized to hair. To the 2.50 hours deposed President Chávez lands in the Miraflores Palace to again assume the position and appealed for calm. The military holding in Fort Tiuna to the interim President, Pedro Carmona.
The National Electoral Council of Venezuela announced that the opposition Democratic Coordinator Coalition got the signatures required to call a recall referendum against Hugo Chávez, held on 15 August 2004, he proclaimed himself winner amid accusations of fraud from the opposition. The official winner, Hugo Chávez, was ecstatic after his win. The President did not hesitate to go out onto the balcony of the Miraflores Palace to thank God "this victory, clean, clear and forceful of the Venezuelan people" before hundreds of supporters.
In the presidential elections of December 3, 2006, he was re-elected with a wide advantage as President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela obtaining 62,84% front 36,90% obtained by the candidate of the opposition Manuel Rosales. Chavez took over on January 10, 2007 in the Federal Capitol reelected President of the country for the period 2007-2013.
"Has four children Hugo, Rosa Virginia and Gabriela María along with his ex-wife Nancy Colmenares, and Rosines fruit of his second marriage with Marisabel Rodríguez. He has received several awards: Star of Carabobo, land forces, order Francisco de Mirandamilitary cross, order military Rafael Urdaneta, military order Libertador V class.
In June 2011 was found "a tumor, abscess with the presence of cancer cells", reason why it had to be surgically intervened on several occasions in Havana. In a televised message revealed that after his operation by a pelvic abscess on 10 June 2011 he underwent a second surgery to remove the cancerous tumor.
On October 7, 2012, after his victory in the presidential election, he congratulated the opposition and its leader Henrique Capriles for recognizing "the truth" of his victory and made an invitation to his opponents to the dialogue. Despite the new victory of chavism, the figures point to a weakening of the vast majority who won in the presidential elections of 2006.
After returning to win the elections he was forced to announce that it needed a new operation for what would travel to Havana. The revolutionary leader asked his to if disabled, support to his Vice President Nicolas Maduro in a new election. He could not even wait to be invested as President for the term of 2013-2019, and on 11 December was subjected in Havana to a fourth operation against cancer. After two months of convalescence in Cuba, the Venezuelan President was returning to Caracas and was detained at the military Hospital to continue treatment. However, he never recovered from the breathing problems that were slowly undermining his health.
President Hugo Chavez Frias died in Caracas to the 16.25 Tuesday, March 5, 2013, after a long convalescence, first in Cuba and then in a Venezuelan military Hospital.
On March 8, 2013, Nicolas Maduro was inducted as interim President.