Death of a national icon: Now what?

Hugo Chávez died of cancer this week in a military hospital in Venezuela (International Herald Tribune, March 5, 2013). After 14 years of “revolution” and fomenting opposition against the U.S., the charismatic national figure leaves behind a nation in turmoil and a mourning family. Venezuela has been in political crisis as its leader suffered with cancer. Now, many supporters are saying “‘With Chávez everything, without Chávez nothing” (ibid.).

“In regimes that are so person-based, the moment that the person on which everything hangs is removed, the entire foundation becomes very weak because there was nothing else supporting this other than this figure” (ibid.). Leaders like Sr. Chávez rely on themselves and distrust most others—thus they fail to implement a key to successful leadership:  training a successor and preparing the government to continue after they die. Because of the political turmoil fostered by Sr. Chávez and the opposition he incensed, there is now confusion over how power should be handed down (ibid.).

While national division, unrest and insecurity will probably continue among the Venezuelan people, there is real hope for the future. Bible prophecies reveal that Jesus Christ is going to return to set up the government of God on this earth (Revelation 11:15-18).  The focus of that government will be the righteous laws of God, and we are told that, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice” (Proverbs 29:2). 

For more about the exciting truth of God’s government, view our exciting Tomorrow’s World telecast, “The Blessings of Righteous Government.”