VENEZUELA: Venezuelans mark 24th anniversary of uprising credited with bringing President Hugo Chavez to power

Record ID: 213917

  • Title: VENEZUELA: Venezuelans mark 24th anniversary of uprising credited with bringing President Hugo Chavez to power
  • Date: 27th February 2013
  • Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (FEBRUARY 27, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF RALLY COMMEMORATING ANNIVERSARY OF FEBRUARY 27, 1989 PEOPLE CARRYING VENEZUELAN FLAG WOMAN HOLDING PAINTING OF VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ VARIOUS OF CHAVEZ SUPPORTERS MARCHING VARIOUS OF CHAVEZ SUPPORTERS GATHERED TO SEE VENEZUELAN VICE PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN VICE PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO, SAYING: "Do not come to us now with little stories about us fighting (amongst ourselves). If they look at us they will see that. Where they look for us, they will find us. With the people, the armed forces and all the beautiful history that we must defend and that we know we will defend. Have no doubts that we will defend the beautiful work of Commander Hugo Chavez Frias." VARIOUS OF CHAVEZ SUPPORTERS HOLDING SIGNS AT RALLY (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN VICE PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO, SAYING: "The bourgeoisie will not be able to screw the people of Venezuela again in history and we will ensure that with our lives if necessary." VARIOUS OF CHAVEZ SUPPORTERS AT RALLY
  • Embargoed: 14th March 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
  • Country: Venezuela
  • Topics: Politics,People
  • Reuters ID: LVA49W78GYVFR9C9I2A9GXXS1TBW
  • Story Text: Venezuelans flooded the streets of Caracas Wednesday (February 27) to mark the anniversary of the social uprising credited with bringing President Hugo Chavez to power.
    Thousands of Chavez supporters marched in the streets in support of their ailing leader, who has not been seen in public since undergoing cancer surgery in December.
    The uprising by poor inhabitants of Caracas on February 27, 1989, known as the "Caracazo," was in response to the nation's free market policies. Leftist President Hugo Chavez has said the riots that left hundreds dead were a revolt against U.S.-backed economic measures and its repression sowed the seeds for his coming to power a decade later.
    Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro, speaking to crowds of supporters on Wednesday, said Chavez's backers will defend their leader's legacy.
    "Do not come to us now with little stories about us fighting (amongst ourselves). If they look at us they will see that. Where they look for us, they will find us. With the people, the armed forces and all the beautiful history that we must defend and that we know we will defend. Have no doubts that we will defend the beautiful work of Commander Hugo Chavez Frias," Maduro said.
    Chavez has undergone treatment at a Caracas military hospital since returning from Cuba earlier this month. His surprise return to Caracas raised supporters' hopes of a recovery after his fourth operation in 18 months, but the government has since released few details about his condition.
    As Venezuelans gathered to mark the rebellion against the policies of former President Carlos Andres Perez, Maduro insisted to supporters that the government won't abandon its leftist agenda.
    "The bourgeoisie will not be able to screw the people of Venezuela again in history and we will ensure that with our lives if necessary," he said.
    Apart from a few photos of Chavez in a Havana hospital bed that were released by the government, Chavez has not been seen nor heard from in public since his December 11 operation. He won re-election in October but was unable to swear in at the start of his new term last month.
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