Official event for the commemoration of 242nd anniversary of the birth of Simón Bolívar, liberator of Venezuela, in Caracas, July 24, 2025. Photo: Telesur.
On Thursday, July 24, a solemn ceremony was held at the National Pantheon in Caracas in commemoration of the 242nd anniversary of the birth of Simón Bolívar, liberator of Venezuela and a towering figure in the independence history of Latin America.
The day, laden with historical symbolism, also coincided with the bicentennial of the Naval Battle of Lake Maracaibo, a decisive event that marked the conclusion of the Venezuelan independence process.
During the ceremony, the national flag was raised in honor of the Father of the Venezuelan Homeland, and the protocolary tributes were carried out.
Additionally, the 20th anniversary of the founding of the media outlet Telesur, recognized for amplifying the voices of the Global South, was commemorated.
High-ranking officials of the Venezuelan government attended the event, including Anabel Pereira Fernández, minister of Economy and Finance; Coromoto Godoy, deputy minister of Foreign Trade; Leticia Gómez Hernández, minister of Tourism; Franklin Almirca Cardillo, minister for Sports; Julio García Serpa, minister of Penitentiary Services; and Admiral Ashraf Suleimán Gutiérrez, general commander of the Bolivarian Navy.
Solidarity With Venezuela: The Real Issue Is Demonisation, Not Criticism of Maduro
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil, Aleida Guevara March, daughter of the Argentinian-Cuban revolutionary leader Ernesto “Che” Guevara, and Patricia Villegas, president of Telesur participated in the event.
The ceremony included the traditional floral offering at the sarcophagus where Bolívar’s remains rest. The offering was placed by the Admiral Suleimán Gutiérrez, who was accompanied by high-level officials of the Operational Strategic Command of the Bolivarian National Armed Force, such as Major General Rubén Bezares Escobar and Admiral Víctor Borjas.
Simon Bolivar, referente universal de valentía en la lucha por la dignidad humana.
Hoja de ruta del Foro Humanidad Humana en la presentación de sus propuestas y objetivos a 242 años del natalicio de El Libertador Simón Bolívar y 20 años del nacimiento de @telesurtv pic.twitter.com/HDJkOZGfCg
— Nacho Lemus (@LemusteleSUR) July 24, 2025
In his speech, Admiral Suleimán Gutiérrez highlighted the greatness of Bolívar and his oath to fight for the emancipation of the continent.
“Today we have raised the national flag and laid a floral tribute before the remains of our Father of the Nation, Liberator Simón Bolívar,” he expressed. “On July 24, that boy Simón was born in Caracas, who set the goal of liberating his homeland, following the ideals and advice of his teachers. He swore to not let his soul rest nor let his arm repose until breaking the chains of Spanish dominion over Venezuela.”
(Telesur)
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/SC/DZ
