Monday, 25 May 2026
Venezuelan Ambassador to Egypt, Wilmer Omar Barrientos Fernández,
Venezuela honors its national heroes and marks a year of humanitarian victory
On the occasion of two significant anniversaries, the 242nd birthday of Venezuela’s liberator Simón Bolívar, and the 71st birthday of the eternal leader Hugo Chávez, the Venezuelan Ambassador to Egypt, Wilmer Omar Barrientos Fernández, reflected on their enduring legacy and Venezuela’s ongoing commitment to justice, independence, and solidarity.
Ambassador Barrientos recalled with pride the life of Simón Bolívar, the “Father of the Nation,” whose vision and courage led to the independence of six South American countries. Bolívar’s fight for liberation inspired generations to stand against colonialism and imperialism, serving as a beacon for all those striving for freedom and dignity.
Similarly, the Ambassador honored Hugo Chávez, the architect of Venezuela’s Bolivarian revolution, who was inspired by Bolívar’s ideals and adapted them to contemporary challenges. Chávez’s progressive vision, deep empathy for marginalized communities, and tireless pursuit of social justice transformed Venezuela and reached far beyond its borders, touching the hearts of people in Latin America and the Caribbean.
President Nicolás Maduro has reaffirmed Venezuela’s commitment to a path of dignity, independence, development, and unity, following in the footsteps of these remarkable leaders.
Ambassador Barrientos also shared a significant milestone: The first anniversary of the “People’s Victory” on July 28, 2024. He highlighted the recent release of 252 Venezuelan citizens who were detained for months in El Salvador, under difficult conditions and without contact with their loved ones. Their return home was the result of determined efforts by the Venezuelan government and a humanitarian exchange with the United States, demonstrating the nation’s unwavering resolve to protect its people’s rights and dignity.
The Ambassador also raised concern about the ongoing situation of 31 Venezuelan children who are still separated from their families and detained in the United States simply because their parents are migrants. Venezuela continues to call for their return and has already managed to repatriate several of these children, reuniting them with their loved ones.
Venezuela's government remains dedicated to supporting its citizens abroad—not only through these efforts, but also by helping nearly 8,000 Venezuelans return home this year as part of the “Return to the Homeland” mission, which seeks to reunite families and provide social protection to those who have faced challenges and discrimination overseas.
Venezuela is also celebrating the anniversary of the victory achieved on July 28, 2024. On this day, the people—empowered by their historic strength—confirmed the legitimacy of their leader, President Nicolás Maduro, overcoming distortions of the truth, terror plots, and the ongoing strikes of "sanctions." These celebrations involve broad popular participation in two important milestones that once again reaffirm our model of participatory democracy: the recent elections held on July 27, in which 335 mayors and 2,471 municipal council members were elected, as well as the national youth consultation, where young people chose projects in 5,338 communities.
On July 28, 2025, Venezuela commemorates the first anniversary of President Nicolás Maduro’s re-election for the 2026–2031 term. The people expressed their strength through an overwhelming vote, once again defending peace, democracy, and sovereignty—at a time when the far right threatened to plunge the nation into a climate of violence and instability, aiming to pave the way for foreign intervention.
This anniversary of the people’s triumph on July 28 also coincides with the 71st birthday of Commander Hugo Chávez, the very architect of the participatory democracy that all Venezuelans enjoy today, establishing sovereignty as a non-negotiable foundation during the Bolivarian Revolution.
Contrary to predictions of collapse, Venezuela today stands as a resilient nation making progress towards sustainable economic recovery, powered by committed nationals defending their right to independent development. The victory of July 28 was not merely an electoral win, but a powerful confirmation of a national project that prioritizes the majority and resists with dignity the ongoing international blockade imposed by extremist, fascist-leaning forces.
In this month of July, Venezuela also organized a discussion event in conjunction with the Summit of Peoples to promote unity in the struggle for peace and against war, as well as a gathering for Humanitarian Humanity—a space to share ideas for building a multipolar world. These activities, in addition to the elections and the program celebrating the July 28 victory, are an extension of the major achievement of liberating 252 Venezuelans who had been kidnapped in El Salvador, and saving seven children in the United States—as part of the Bolivarian government's steadfast defense of migrants’ rights.
Yesterday, Venezuela held its 2025 municipal council elections, where citizens chose mayors and municipal council members. According to the same electoral register used in last month's legislative elections, more than 21 million voters were registered to select a total of 2,806 positions (335 mayors and 2,471 council members), in addition to voting for 5,336 youth-led projects.
To make this possible, the National Electoral Council allocated 15,731 polling stations, which included 20,410 polling units dedicated to the local elections, and another 15,937 units for the national popular youth consultation—the first of its kind for young people, and the third popular consultation held this year.
The National Electoral Council has released the first official bulletin with irrevocable results for the July 27 municipal elections, with definitive outcomes announced for 304 out of 335 positions. National voter participation exceeded 44%, representing a heartfelt commitment from over 6,273,531 Venezuelans.
In these consultations, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) achieved another sweeping victory, winning the majority of contested positions. Of the 23 state capitals, the government coalition won 22 mayoralties. The capital, Caracas, will continue under the stewardship of the current mayor from PSUV, Carmen Meléndez, who was re-elected with 86% of the vote.
Finally, on the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of Egypt’s July 23, 1952 revolution—a national day of great pride—we extend our kindest regards and heartfelt wishes to this wonderful country for its continued journey towards peace, development, and collective progress under the wise leadership of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
The Ambassador also highlighted Venezuela’s vibrant cultural diplomacy, including hosting the 19th World Poetry Festival and the International Book Fair, which this year celebrated a special partnership with Egypt. These events foster dialogue, creativity, and solidarity, and gave voice to urgent humanitarian issues.
During the World Poetry Festival, poets joined in expressing sorrow and frustration over the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people—an issue close to Venezuela’s heart.
Ambassador Barrientos conveyed President Maduro’s profound dismay at the international community’s inability to stop what Venezuela terms a “genocide” against the Palestinian people. He criticized the slow and unequal application of international law, and called for a just, lasting peace based on the end of occupation and full respect for Palestinian rights, in accordance with UN resolutions.
President Maduro proposed a global summit for peace, urging the international community to take concrete steps to stop the violence and uphold the principles of justice, coexistence, and human dignity.
Finally, the Ambassador called on the world to stand together in solidarity, stating:
“The Palestinian cause is not just a regional or religious issue. It is the moral frontier between justice and brutality. Defending Palestine is defending humanity itself. To remain silent means betraying the spirit of all peoples who fought for their own independence and dignity.”