The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, led the commemoration of the Bicentennial of the Chuquisaca Decree, which he described as the first environmental and ecological mandate of the Liberator Simón Bolívar. During the event, the Head of State emphasized the continued relevance of that document as a fundamental legacy for the ecological development of the nation in the 21st century.
President Nicolás Maduro recalled Bolívar’s figure beyond his military achievements, describing him as the founder of a civilizational change oriented towards the future: «Bolívar was not only a man of great military feats, he was also the genuine founder of a true civilizational change aimed at the future,» he said, emphasizing the philosophical and spiritual depth of his revolutionary work.
In relation to this, he highlighted that the Liberator was a pioneer in signing provisions that recognized the rights of indigenous peoples as citizens. Measures such as the distribution of land, the creation of an educational system for orphans, and the Chuquisaca census constituted, according to his explanation, a historical precedent in terms of social justice and institutional organization.
In consequence, the Head of State affirmed that the revolutionary Venezuelan people is the direct heir of this environmental tradition, which serves as a shield against imperialism: «We are heirs of a civilizational alternative that is in full development, based on life, balance, and universal coexistence,» he manifested, establishing a direct link between Bolívar’s thought and contemporary politics.
He also drew a comparison between the Liberator’s era and the present day, noting a continuity in the defense of the land and natural resources. He pointed out that this defense was the basis of the first socialist and revolutionary idea, because «socialism rejects all forms of war for land or resources, because it is based on human values.»
Finally, he concluded with a firm proclamation of sovereignty: “We are not a copy or imitation of anyone, nor are we slaves or a colony of any foreign power. Bolívar was not defeated, and the people of Venezuela will never surrender its lands,” he asserted, reaffirming Bolívar as an eternal symbol of independence and national dignity.