Thaindian News

By Ranjan Bhaduri
May 5, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela has been claiming for years that his idol Simon Bolivar passed away in 1830 in poisoning and not from tuberculosis. There are both proponents and detractors of this theory. Now, the claim made by a scientist named Paul Auwaerter has given him reasons to believe that his assumption is correct. However, the theory put forward by the US scientist does not exactly echo the view of the leftist president that Simon Bolivar was poisoned. The scientist has ruled out any foul motive behind the death. In the a8th century the doctors used to recommend arsenic to treat ailments and conditions like hemorrhoids.

Paul Auwaerter, the scientist who has come up with the slow poisonings theory is associated with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The scientist’s finding has inspired Hugo Chavez to augment his own theory that the former militant leader was assassinated by slow poisoning. He has asked his ministry to get in touch with the US scientist. After knowing this, the doctor expressed his worry that his statement can be misconstrued. He clarified that his research has no political leanings. The government of Hugo Chavez is now carrying out a special investigation to trace why Simon Bolivar died.

A new state forensics laboratory has been set up for this purpose. However, Hugo Chavez’s belief in the theory that Simon Boliver was murdered by Francisco de Santander, a rival with Colombian origin, has been challenged by historians and experts. The analysts feel wrecking up the past may harm the already tense relations between the two nations.