This past Wednesday, March 6, 2013, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez died of a mass heart attack. Over the past several years, he suffered an unidentified cancer that was at a very advanced state at the time of his death. Hugo Chavez was the president of Venezuela for fourteen years, and headed a reign that attacked the citizens of Venezuela’s human rights, as well as the right to free speech and the ability to voice one’s opinion. During his time as president, he sought to gain gave himself and his government the ability to censor, intimidate, and prosecute any citizen who spoke out negatively against the president or the government as a whole. Media that did not support Chavez’ government was banned, including the suspension of websites, and television and radio stations.
Upon learning of Chavez’ death and reign in Venezuela, I once again came to realize how much I, and I would imagine several others, take for granted living in a country where we are free to express ourselves and our opinions. Simply being able to go on Google and search for the answer to a question is a privilege. Not only can we easily access any type of information that we like, but we can also enjoy the diversity of viewing several different opinions voiced by people all over the world. It is easy to forget that not all humans are allowed the right to not only voice their own thoughts and opinions, but to listen to those of others as well. Without diversity in our thoughts and ideas, we would be living in a very closed-minded, one sided world, deprived of new ideology and creativity. Hopefully, with the death of Hugo Chavez, the people of Venezuela will see more freedom in their ability to express their opinions and beliefs in the future.
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