Official event for the commemoration of 242nd anniversary of the birth of SimĂłn BolĂvar, 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 SimĂłn BolĂvar, 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 GĂłmez Hernández, minister of Tourism; Franklin Almirca Cardillo, minister for Sports; Julio GarcĂa Serpa, minister of Penitentiary Services; and Admiral Ashraf Suleimán GutiĂ©rrez, general commander of the Bolivarian Navy.
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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 BolĂvar’s remains rest. The offering was placed by the Admiral Suleimán GutiĂ©rrez, who was accompanied by high-level officials of the Operational Strategic Command of the Bolivarian National Armed Force, such as Major General RubĂ©n Bezares Escobar and Admiral VĂctor Borjas.
Simon Bolivar, referente universal de valentĂa en la lucha por la dignidad humana.
Hoja de ruta del Foro Humanidad Humana en la presentaciĂłn de sus propuestas y objetivos a 242 años del natalicio de El Libertador SimĂłn BolĂvar y 20 años del nacimiento de @telesurtv pic.twitter.com/HDJkOZGfCg
— Nacho Lemus (@LemusteleSUR) July 24, 2025
In his speech, Admiral Suleimán GutiĂ©rrez highlighted the greatness of BolĂvar 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 SimĂłn BolĂvar,” he expressed. “On July 24, that boy SimĂłn 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
