Venezuela has, among other things, two distinct attributes. It is the birthplace of Simon Bolivar, father of Latin America's independence movement and a symbol of revolution, liberation and unity. And it is an oil-rich country.

As an iconic figure of the Latin American left, Hugo Chavez focused on Venezuela's two distinct attributes during 14 years of his rule. His anti-US diplomacy, alliance with Latin American leftists and efforts to build a socialist society in Venezuela made Chavez a remarkable leader and, to a large extent, changed the political landscape of Latin America. And despite many international media outlets' attempt to paint him as a controversial leader, he will remain a symbol of Venezuela and an important figure in the rise of the Latin American left.

Chavez proposed to replace US hegemony with multilaterism and "Washington Consensus" with Bolivarianism, and his influence will continue to help drive Latin American countries on the path of development.