In Images: The Bolivarian Movement Celebrates Hugo Chavez’s 60th Birthday

The iconic leader died of cancer in March last year after being reelected to a third constitutional term by a wide margin on 7 October 2012. A military officer from a humble background, Chavez spearheaded the political project known as the “Bolivarian revolution”, named after 19^th century independence hero Simon Bolivar.

On 14 April 2013 Chavez’s former vice president, Nicolas Maduro, was narrowly elected as president on a ticket of continuing his mentor’s project and policies.

Official acts, marches and other gatherings were held around the country to mark what would have been Chavez’s 60^th birthday, and to remember the life and legacy of the former president.

Nicolas Maduro attended an event at the Cuartel de la Montaña in Caracas, where Chavez’s remains are held. He then travelled to a remembrance event at Chavez’s birthplace in the rural town of Sabaneta in the south west of the country.

“Let’s give thanks to God for having given us a man as marvelous as comandante Hugo Chavez…[and] for allowing us to accompany him in the struggle for the new independence and redemption of the homeland,” Maduro said to officials, supporters and international guests at the event in Caracas.

Maduro, a former trade union leader, also spoke of the need to “continue his [Chavez’s] work and keep being loyal to his project”.

In the Andean city of Mérida in the west of the country, VA.com covered an official act to mark the date. One attendee, a member of the “Hugo Chavez Vanguard” political collective, said, “Today we feel happy because Chavez hasn’t died, he’s still alive in Venezuela’s fiber”.

The activist, named Adriana Maya, also argued that for government supporters, “The task is to continue the struggle and implement the strategic points of the National Plan that Chavez left us”.

The images below record the events in the Cuartel de la Montaña in Caracas and the Andean city of Mérida.

Text by Venezuelanalysis.com