Venezuela Marks First Anniversary Of Chavez’s Death

1 minute read

Supporters of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez took to the streets across the country Wednesday to commemorate the anniversary of his death from cancer.

A planned military parade in the capital city of Caracas was set to demonstrate current president Nicolas Maduro’s ability to mobilize the population, reports Reuters, as a series of violent anti-government protests continue to undermine his leadership.

Chavez was immensely popular among the poorest members of Venezuela’s population, thanks to his anti-American rhetoric and generous spending on slum projects. Yet barely a year after his death, his successor has faced a series of challenges from the protests, which have resulted in a reported 18 deaths. Maduro has been blamed for not doing enough to overcome many of the country’s problems, including rampant crime and spiraling living costs.

However, Chavez’s cousin Guillermo Frias claimed that although Chavez “changed Venezuela forever,” he insisted that “Maduro is also a poor man, like us. He’s handling things fine. Perhaps he just needs a stronger hand.”

[Reuters]

Marisol Perez, Venezuelan Army specialist, cries while visiting a chapel near Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez's mausoleum in Caracas, March 5, 2014.
Marisol Perez, Venezuelan Army specialist, cries while visiting a chapel near Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez's mausoleum in Caracas, March 5, 2014. Rodrigo Abd—AP
Presidential guards stand next to the tomb of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez at the former military barracks that was turned into Chavez's mausoleum in Caracas, March 5, 2014.
Presidential guards stand next to the tomb of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez at the former military barracks that was turned into Chavez's mausoleum in Caracas, March 5, 2014. Rodrigo Abd–AP
Elena Frias, mother of Venezuela's late president Hugo Chavez, puts flowers over his tomb during the first anniversary of his death in Caracas, March 5, 2014.
Elena Frias, mother of Venezuela's late president Hugo Chavez, puts flowers over his tomb during the first anniversary of his death in Caracas, March 5, 2014. Jorge Silva–Reuters
Pablo de la Cruz Aldana poses for a photo after visiting the mausoleum of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in Caracas, March 5, 2014.
Pablo de la Cruz Aldana poses for a photo after visiting the mausoleum of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in Caracas, March 5, 2014. Rodrigo Abd–AP
Venezuelan Air Force jets fly over an official parade marking the first anniversary of Hugo Chavez death on March 5, 2014 in Caracas, Venezuela.
Venezuelan Air Force jets fly over an official parade marking the first anniversary of Hugo Chavez death on March 5, 2014 in Caracas, Venezuela. John Moore–Getty Images
A group of people carry the picture of late Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, during the military parade to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of Chavez, in Caracas, March 5, 2014.
A group of people carry the picture of late Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, during the military parade to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of Chavez, in Caracas, March 5, 2014. Miguel Gutierrez–EPA
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro stands in a convertible limousine next to first lady Cilia Flores as security guards stand on the sides of the car during a military parade commemorating the one year anniversary of the death of Venezuela's former President Hugo Chavez in Caracas, March 5, 2014.
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro stands in a convertible limousine next to first lady Cilia Flores as security guards stand on the sides of the car during a military parade commemorating the one year anniversary of the death of Venezuela's former President Hugo Chavez in Caracas, March 5, 2014. Rodrigo Abd–AP
Members of the Venezuelan armed forces watch as tanks pass by during an official parade marking the first anniversary of Hugo Chavez death on March 5, 2014 in Caracas.
Members of the Venezuelan armed forces watch as tanks pass by during an official parade marking the first anniversary of Hugo Chavez death on March 5, 2014 in Caracas.John Moore–Getty Images
Venezuelan military officers watch an official parade marking the first anniversary of Hugo Chavez death on March 5, 2014 in Caracas.
Venezuelan military officers watch an official parade marking the first anniversary of Hugo Chavez death on March 5, 2014 in Caracas.John Moore–Getty Images
Venezuelan soldiers pass by dignitaries while marking the first anniversary of the death of Hugo Chavez on March 5, 2014 in Caracas.
Venezuelan soldiers pass by dignitaries while marking the first anniversary of the death of Hugo Chavez on March 5, 2014 in Caracas.John Moore–Getty Images
Venezuelans watch during a parade marking the first anniversary of Hugo Chavez' death on March 5, 2014 in Caracas.
Venezuelans watch during a parade marking the first anniversary of Hugo Chavez' death on March 5, 2014 in Caracas.John Moore–Getty Images
A cutout of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez lies on the street following a parade marking the first anniversary of his death on March 5, 2014 in Caracas.
A cutout of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez lies on the street following a parade marking the first anniversary of his death on March 5, 2014 in Caracas.John Moore–Getty Images

More Must-Reads From TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com