Chavez on hand as Venezuela marks key independence date

[dipsydoodle]

Venezuela is marking the 200th anniversary of its independence from Spain, with President Hugo Chavez back from cancer surgery in Cuba.

Street parties are being held across the country, and there will be a military parade in Caracas.

President Chavez, who made a surprise return on Monday, said he would follow events from the presidential palace.

It is a key date for Mr Chavez, who says independence hero Simon Bolivar is his inspiration.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-14028095

[Judi Lynn]

1. One small problem with one of their genius reporters, Sarah Grainger, in Caracas.

~snip~
Returning in time for the bicentenary was clearly important for President Chavez, who likes to compare his socialist revolution with the independence struggle of Simon Bolivar, says the BBC's Sarah Grainger in Caracas.

But the fact that he is set to watch proceedings from indoors indicates that he is still battling ill-health, she says.

Apparently she is unaware that anyone going through a 6 hour surgery for removal of a cancer recently isn't going to leap to his feet and spend a day making speeches and meeting tons of people at the 200th anniversary of his country's government.

Anyone who's known someone who's been through cancer surgery would know better. Many who haven't, would still usually try to rely on common sense!

Love that photo, D.D. Thanks! His daughters haven't appeared in a lot of photos making it to the corporate media. They look like very nice people.

[dipsydoodle]

2. Hadn't realised they were his daughters - Rosa and Maria

Yes - both very attractive.

Ms whatever Grainger seems to have expected him to be either a goal keeper in the celebratory 5 aside soccer matches or play in the rugby sevens this week. :)

:hi:

[rabs]

3. Telesur showing Sukhoi-30 warplanes

as write this.

http://www.telesurtv.net/secciones/canal/senalenvivo.php

:hi:


edit to add that just spotted Pepe Mujica, Evo Morales and Fernando Lugo in the VIP crowd. Plus there were foreign ministers from Caribbean nations as well as Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and other countries.

[dipsydoodle]

4. Was HRC there ?

:rofl:

I got football at first then twigged there was another video over on the right. :)

:hi:

[rabs]

5. Even Google got into the celebration

hil? seems she has been staying out of sight recently. Maybe she's in Libya on vacation or something.

[dipsydoodle]

6. She's building sand castles I guess

:)

[Judi Lynn]

7. Wow! I only saw his original Vice President Rangel. I wasn't look at the right time!

That's wonderful to hear. Thanks for mentioning it.