Communiqué of the Celac on the decease of Commander President Hugo Chávez Frías

The members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean (CELAC) and the peoples of our America received with dismay and deep sorrow the news of the death of the Commander President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías, on Tuesday, March 5, 2013.
We express our most heartfelt condolences to the family of Commander President Chávez, to the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Venezuelan people, to whom he devoted his life.
His permanent dedication to the sovereignty and integration of our nations and to the development of solidarity between the peoples of our region; his dedication to the eradication of poverty and inequality in Venezuela and in our region; and his decision to work for the achievement of a united, strong and secure Latin America and the Caribbean, are values that have nourished the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.
For the CELAC, of which he was one of the founders and driving forces, the example of Commander President Chávez encourages us to redouble our efforts for Latin American and Caribbean unity, cooperation, solidarity and integration. This is the best tribute that the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean can pay to Commander President Hugo Chávez Frías.

March 6, 2013