In pictures

GSBot · April 20, 2010, 9:58am

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47674000/jpg/_47674378_venezuelaap5.jpgThousands of Venezuelans have attended a military parade celebrating the 200th anniversary of the country’s independence. President Hugo Chavez said it was the biggest the Venezuela had ever seen.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47674000/jpg/_47674379_venezuelaap6.jpgThousands of Mr Chavez’s supporters waited to see the procession along Paseo de los Proceres, an avenue which crosses the base. Many of the Chavistas wore red shirts, signifying they were part of the “red tide”.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47674000/jpg/_47674380_foto2.people.jpgSpeaking at the start of the parade, Mr Chavez said Venezuela would “never again be the colony of anyone". “It is time for our definitive independence,” he added.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47674000/jpg/_47674381_foto4.socialgroups.jpgThe parade started with 5,400 people from different states of Venezuela, mostly members of social organisations linked to the government. Dancers, indigenous groups and athletes went first, followed by the military.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47674000/jpg/_47674382_foto5.nicaraguaarmy.jpgTroops from Nicaragua also took part in the march, as well as groups from Cuba, Dominica, Bolivia, Ecuador and Argentina.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47674000/jpg/_47674384_foto7.chavezraulevo.jpgBolivian President Evo Morales (left) and Cuba’s President, Raul Castro (second left), were also in attendance, along with Mr Chavez’s eldest daughter, Rosa Virginia (right).

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47674000/jpg/_47674385_venezuelaap3.jpgSpecial forces teams also took part in the spectacle; several of them made up of both men and women, and most of them chanting socialist slogans.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47674000/jpg/_47674386_foto9.tanks.jpgUntil Mr Chavez came to power the Venezuelan military had very-old fashioned armoured vehicles. But in the last year, the government has bought several types of Russian tanks. Mr Chavez considers Russia a “strategic ally”.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47674000/jpg/_47674387_venezuelaap1.jpgThe air force took over for the closing ceremony. It consisted of an exhibition of the recently acquired Chinese and Russian military planes.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47674000/jpg/_47674388_foto10fernandoguevara.jpgFernando Guevara, a student who travelled for more than two hours to see the parade, said it as worth it, he said. "It has been amazing,” he added. “I didn’t know Venezuela had all these weapons, tanks and planes.”

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47674000/jpg/_47674389_foto11.celebration.jpgMany people stayed on the streets to celebrate the bicentenary of their independence on Monday evening. (Text and most photos by Anahi Aradas)

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