Venezuelan Native in Bossier speaks on Chavez death...
By: Alese Underwood
Updated: March 5, 2013
Valentina Poggioli spent most of Tuesday afternoon on the phone with loved ones. She was making dinner when she heard the news that the President of her native country, Hugo Chavez, died.
"I shouldn't say it because he is a person who died, but everyone is happy. I'm so excited to finally have a proper democracy. Venezuela has suffered too much," Poggioli said.
She came to the United States with nothing but a bicycle and two suitcases, and while it wasn't easy to build up, it was better than watching her country crumble.
"Hugo Chavez received billions of dollars for oil and instead of putting toward the people, he gave it away. Fourteen years later we are one of the poorest countries with one of the highest crime rates in South America. We don't have basics, there's nothing for us," she said.
Her parents, brothers, sisters, two sons, and other family members are still there. She hopes to finally get back to visit.
"I shouldn't say it because he is a person who died, but everyone is happy. I'm so excited to finally have a proper democracy. Venezuela has suffered too much," Poggioli said.
She came to the United States with nothing but a bicycle and two suitcases, and while it wasn't easy to build up, it was better than watching her country crumble.
"Hugo Chavez received billions of dollars for oil and instead of putting toward the people, he gave it away. Fourteen years later we are one of the poorest countries with one of the highest crime rates in South America. We don't have basics, there's nothing for us," she said.
Her parents, brothers, sisters, two sons, and other family members are still there. She hopes to finally get back to visit.
