Anderson tells UK and ROI to follow Chávez policies

Speaking after Mr Chávez’s death this week the Londonderry MEP stated: “It was with great sorrow that I heard of the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

“I extend my sincere condolences to the family of President Hugo Chávez, the Venezuelan government and people on the death of their beloved President.”

The Londonderry MEP twice visited Venezuela in 2007 and 2008 to speak at conferences including one to mark the formation of the Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela (PSUV) - the Venezuelan United Socialist Party.

She said: “The Chávez government was an example of how governments, if the political will exists, can fulfil their obligations to their citizens by utilising a country’s natural resources to benefit the people, through providing efficient public services rather than for the greed and profit of multi-national conglomerates.

“Other governments could learn much from the example of Hugo Chávez and his social and economic policies.

“Those attacking the most disadvantaged in our societies through their austerity policies would do well to study the social policies followed by the Chávez government. He will be sadly missed.”