(20 April 2010) The Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Alicia Bárcena, sent a greeting to the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, on occasion of the country's bicentennial independence celebrations.
In the letter, Bárcena congratulated the President and the people of Venezuela for this celebration, which commemorates the establishment of the first independent government on April 19, 1810.
That day, during an extraordinary session of the Caracas Town Council, the Captain General appointed by the King of Spain, Vicente Emparam, was removed from office. A provisional government was established and later ratified in July 1811 by all of the provinces that then composed the General Captaincy of Venezuela, and which gave birth to the First Republic.
"It is 200 years of independent life," said Bárcena in her message. "However, all of the countries in our region still have a long and difficult road ahead to open the door to development and conquer the welfare and dignity of our peoples."
Venezuela will celebrate its bicentennial with a series of commemorative events to be held from April 19 to July 5, 2011. The celebrations include a civic-military parade, cultural events and a solemn session of the National Assembly (Congress), among others.
For more information, contact ECLAC's Information Services. Email: dpisantiago@cepal.org; telephone: (56-2) 210-2040/2149.
