Livia Gouverneur | |
---|---|
Born | 22 July 1941 |
Died | 1 November 1961 (aged 20) |
Alma mater | |
Occupation | Student |
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 some allies of Fulgencio Batista. Her death has become a symbol of social justice in Venezuela.
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), where she was also a member of the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV).[2]
On 1 November 1961, Gouverneur attended 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 Hogarena, the centre for pro-Batista support.[2]
The anniversary of her birth is celebrated in Venezuela, where her life has become an emblem for social justice.[3] In 2013 student residences in Caracas were named in her honour.[1] Nicolás Maduro described her in 2020 as "the heroine and martyr of the people".[4] 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.”[5]