The following contains a speech by Hugo Chavez delivered to the people of Venezuela via
television on February 4, 1992. The rest of this piece offers commentary on the significance of 
February 4, now called the Day of Dignity, or Dia de le Dignidad in Venezuela. The document 
was sent to us by our Venezuelan friend, Gabriel Henriquez and translated by Sean Kriletich.


Hugo Chavez Frias' "for now" speech given on February 4th 1992:

	First and foremost I would like to say good morning to the Venezuelan people.  This
bolivarian message is directed to the brave soldiers of the Airborne Regiment of Aragua and to
the Armored Brigade of Valencia.

	My friends, I am sorry to say that for now we have not achieved our objectives in the
capital.  That is to say, those of us here in Caracas did not manage to control the power.  You did
very well over there but it is now time to avoid more bloodshed.  Now is the time to reflect, as
there will be new opportunities and this country needs to put itself on the road to a better future.
 So listen to my words, listen to the commander Chavez who sends out this message, please 
put down your weapons and take time to reflect because in truth the objectives that we had on a
national level are impossible to obtain.  My comrades, hear this message of solidarity.  I thank 
you for your loyalty and your bravery.  Before you and the country I assume responsibility for 
this bolivarian military movement.  Thank you very much.


These were the words of the than lieutenant coronal of the army Hugo Chavez Frias when he
was allowed to speak to the cameras of the media that were present in the Ministry of Defense 
following the attempted coup of February 4, 1992.


Hugo Chavez, commander of the Airborne Brigade of Maracay led the military rebellion (coup) in
Caracas in the early morning of February 4, 1992.  This movement radically changed the history 
of the country.  This coup followed the path already set out by the people of Venezuela on the
27th of February the year before against the neo-liberal methods implemented by the 
government of Carlos Andres Perez, who had handed over the mother country of Bolivar to 
imperialist interests.

 
After the military forces who were loyal to the than president Perez captured the forces of the 
insurgency lieutenant coronal Chavez was brought before the military high court which decided 
to let the rebel leader talk to the media representatives who were present.  It was than that in just 
90 seconds that not only the uncertainty about the motivations and the protagonists of the 
rebellion was put to rest but also a figure that represented all of the long excluded sons of the 
Bolivar was born.


The "for now" speech was and remains one of the most forceful and determining phrases of 
contemporary history.  It represents the birth of an alternative, a new capitulate, a new stage and 
a new country.


Together with these two words, for now, for the first time in a long time someone had assumed 
responsibility for their actions.  Even in this difficult situation Chavez maintained the gallantry 
and the dignity, which had, motivated both he and his partners to raise their voices in the name 
of those you had been robbed of what the "Father of the Country," Simon Bolivar, had given 
them in his heroic fight against despotism and oppression.


Today the hope and dreams that were awakened by the "for now speech" have been renewed 
and made concrete because a leader, Hugo Chavez Frias, as the president of the republic by 
decision of the sovereign people of Venezuela, directs the destiny of the country with courage 
and determination towards equality and justice, the integration of the people of south America 
for the construction of a system with a more humanistic vision in contrary to the egotistical 
imperialism that has always tried to oppress the world with violence and poverty. 


The "for now" became "forever," was made the constitution and is the same as the voice and 
will of the glorious people of Simon Bolivar.