Livia Gouverneur
Venezuelan communist (1941–1961)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | 15 July 1941  |
| Died | 1 November 1961 |
| Education | Central University of Venezuela |
| Occupation | Student |
Political party | Communist Party of Venezuela |
Biography
Born 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
The 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]