R.I.P. Simon Bolivar

Last week, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced that he believes that Venezuela’s liberator, Simon Bolivar may have been murdered. This was based on his own theories and judgments. Following his discovery, he went to the mausoleum, where Bolivar is buried and allowed the tomb to be uncovered. Upon the opening of the tomb, Chavez announced, “Here is our liberator in the flesh.” This certainly must have been an inspiring moment in the president’s life. The body was then taken to be scientifically tested to determine whether or not Bolivar was murdered. Chavez was able to find a doctor who may be able to discover that Bolivar was gradually murdered by arsenic poisoning. The official cause of death for Simon Bolivar was tuberculosis.
I think these claims are rather dubious. First of all the symptoms of tuberculosis and arsenic poisoning are completely different. The major symptoms for tuberculosis are coughing (in some cases blood), loss of appetite, fever, chills and fatigue. The symptoms for arsenic poisoning are chest pains, kidney pains and skin discolouration. Based on the medical and historical evidence, I highly doubt Simon Bolivar was assassinated. I also believe that by 1830, a medical doctor whether it be in Venezuela, or France or the United States would be able to differentiate between arsenic poisoning and tuberculosis. Although medical technology and education was not as advanced as it is today, a basic medical doctor should be able to properly diagnose a patient in 1830.
The other major issue with this claim is, what is the motive to kill Simon Bolivar? Bolivar, liberated the South American nations of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The people of South America were so grateful that he became the first president of a nation that was named in his honour, Bolivia. At the time of his death, Bolivar had stepped down as president of Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and Venezuela. On top of this, at the time of his death in 1830, Bolivar was already preparing for a life in exile in Paris. There have been other South American political leaders who had governed nations or participated in the independence movements who then went into exile and did not participate or even try to regain power. Most notably, General Jose de San Martin did this. After his term as the first protector of Peru, he went into voluntary exile to Paris, Brussels and London, where he refused to partake in Peruvian and Argentine Politics. I believe that Bolivar would have had the same future, should he have survived.
I do have a very orthodox view of history. I do strongly believe what the general facts of history are, even though I have various political opinions associated with my historical viewpoint. I do believe in some historic conspiracies, however I do not believe that Simon Bolivar was murdered. It does not make sense that he would have been murdered based on the information I provided above. If President Chavez is proven to be correct with his assumption, I will be the first person to recognise the fact that Simon Bolivar was murdered. Until then however, it appears to be propaganda, perhaps targeting western imperialists such as the United States, Spain or France. This is the first time since taking presidency where I have differed with President Hugo Chavez. Viva Simon Bolivar!