Venezuela Celebrates 200 Years Of Independence

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez attends a military parade to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Venezuela's independence in Caracas April 19, 2010. Credit: Reuters/Jorge Silva

Show Of Military Might as Venezuela celebrates 200 years of independence -- Times Online

Chinese and Russian-made fighter jets blasted through the skies, shaking the dilapidated buildings of Caracas as they passed. Tanks and troops paraded through the streets and special forces troops shouted in unison: “I’m an anti-imperialist socialist!” The capital was draped in red as thousands of military personnel, dancers and supporters hailed Hugo Chávez, the Venezuelan President.

Allies from across the region flew in to attend the celebrations — the Cuban leader Raúl Castro, Evo Morales of Bolivia and Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega were among those flanking Mr Chávez who, dressed in his trademark red beret and military uniform, paid tribute to Simón Bolívar, the Latin American freedom fighter, whose spirit he frequently invokes in support of his Bolivarian Revolution.

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