They commemorate 30 years of the sacrifice of the “Tragahumos” with a walk in Maracay

Published at: 28/02/2026 06:24 PM

With deep emotion and sense of belonging, forest brigade members, authorities, family members and communities linked to the Henri Pittier National Park participated this Saturday in a commemorative walk in honor of the seven “Tragahumos” of the Santa Eduvigis Brigada, who died in 1996 while fighting forest fires. The activity was part of the national tribute to these volunteers, whose dedication has strengthened fire prevention and control in Venezuela.

The 3-kilometer walk began at the Las Delicias Zoo and included hydration points at the Calicanto III Fruit Shop, the Pipo International Hotel and the Mayor (F) Alirio Quintero Fire Station, where the tour ended. A wreath and mass were held there in honor of the fallen, in addition to an operational demonstration with the discharge of water from a rotary-wing aircraft.

During the event, the authorities awarded awards to the families of the deceased volunteers and to active forest brigade members.

The Minister of Popular Power for Ecosocialism, Alfred Nazareth Ñáñez, highlighted the deep connection between Aragüeña communities and the protection of the Henri Pittier National Park.

He said that walking with the fighters allowed us to relive stories that are part of a tradition of service. “For me it has been a real honor to have walked these three kilometers with you and to have shared meter by meter the anecdotes, memories and heroic exploits that unite this town of Aragua with other forest fighters in the country.”

The Minister emphasized that in these communities a vocation that transcends generations was born: “Here, at Henri Pittier, an apostolate was born, an unbreakable bond between neighbors and between human beings and nature. If we are looking for a seed of popular power, that seed is in the spirit of the 'Tragahumos', of forest fighters.”

Ñáñez dedicated special words to the relatives of Manuel Eliberto Marchan, a forest firefighter who died 30 years ago: “I especially want to greet Amarilis and Arón, the relatives of our forest firefighter Manuel Eliberto Marchan, who gave his life in a heroic fight to defend those who have no voice: roots, trees, waters, wild animals.”

The head of Ecosocialism also reflected on the global environmental crisis, questioning that “we are experiencing a climate catastrophe that endangers all species, especially human beings. It is connected to the loss of biodiversity and to the pollution crisis, the product of a system that no longer sees life, but rather exploitable resources.”

It concluded with a call to awareness about the responsibility that we all have in the preservation of the environment and our own survival. “We produce garbage, we generate garbage, we eat garbage. The plastic crisis is transforming the entire food chain. There is no harm to nature that doesn't end up being harm to ourselves.”

To close the event, ten trees were planted in honor of the fallen. The minister said Ñáñez said that “these trees will forever be the most dignified monument we can provide to our fighters. With one of these backdrops, I want to commit them to teaching, training, respecting and loving nature. Long live the Fatherland and long live the forest fighters!”

The First Commander of the Forest Fire Department of the National Park Institute (Inparks), General Germán Gutiérrez, accompanied this Saturday's activity and announced the start of national production of firefighting tools: “From the Great Mother Earth Venezuela Mission, we are starting to build our tools of independence.”

The official explained the operation of the “gorgui”, a multifunctional tool manufactured in Venezuela, which “is a tool that allows you to make control lines, remove fuels and dig. We have four tools in one. Everything is made with Venezuelan wood and metal, which makes us independent from countries that today do not want to sell us because of blockades.”

He also presented the frame, symbol of the Venezuelan doctrine of direct attack: “Only in Venezuela does this doctrine of hand-to-hand combat exist. That's why our forest firefighters and volunteers are called upon to support countries in our America.”

Gutierrez closed with a national call: “No more forest fires. Fire is not a game: it's destruction. Let us care for and love our home, our Mother Earth.”

Mazo News Team