Livia Margarita Gouverneur Camero (15 July 1941 – 1 November 1961) was a Venezuelan student who was killed during a protest in support of the Cuban Revolution and against the presence in Venezuela of allies of Fulgencio Batista. Her death has become a symbol of social justice in Venezuela.
Livia Gouverneur | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 22 July 1941  |
| Died | 1 November 1961 (aged 20) |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Student |
Biography
editBorn on 15 July 1941 in San Agustín, the eldest of eleven children; her parents were César Gouverneur and Lola Camero.[1] She studied psychology at Central University of Venezuela (UCV). She was a member of the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV).[2]
On 1 November 1961, Gouverneur took part in a demonstration that supported the Cuban Revolution and opposed the presence in Venezuela of some allies of Fulgencio Batista.[2] During the protest, several students were shot by supporters of Batista, including Gouverneur, who was killed.[2] There were claims at the time that she was shot outside La Hogareña, the centre for pro-Batista support.[3][2]
Legacy
editThe anniversary of her birth is celebrated in Venezuela, where her life has become an emblem of social justice.[4] In 2013 student residences in Caracas were named after her.[1] President Nicolás Maduro described her in 2020 as "the heroine and martyr of the people".[5] In 2022 Eirimar Malavé spoke about her death to the National Assembly, with a speech that ended with "Long live the Venezuelan woman, long live Livia Gouverneur."[6]
References
edit- ^ a b "Livia Gouverneur: 61 años de la siembra de "La Virgen Roja de los estudiantes" - MPPEFC". 2022-11-01. Archived from the original on 2022-11-01. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ a b c d Sorenson, John L. (1964). Unconventional Warfare and the Venezuelan Society. U.S. Naval Ordnance Test Station. p. 83.
- ^ "La Virgen Roja de los Estudiantes: 51 años de su muerte en combate revolucionario" [The Red Virgin of the Students: 51 years since her death in revolutionary combat] (in Spanish). United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). 1 November 2012.
- ^ "Livia Gouverneur: Ejemplo de lucha indómita contra la represión (+natalicio)". PSUV. 14 July 2023.
- ^ "Mandatario Nacional recordó el natalicio de la lideresa Livia Gouverneur – Minec". 2024-02-22. Archived from the original on 2024-02-22. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ "AN recuerda asesinato de la estudiante revolucionaria Livia Gouverneur". Asamblea Nacional (in Spanish). 2022-11-01. Retrieved 2024-02-22.