Venezuela has commemorated the one year anniversary of the death of former president Hugo Chavez with rallies across the country.
Supporters of the late socialist president turned out in hundreds of thousands for official commemoration services.
In a show of support for the revolutionary process Chavez led, in Caracas crowds in red flooded the city centre for military and civil parades. Supporters of social programs launched under Chavez, along with social movements aligned with the government of President Nicolas Maduro also rallied in the capital.
Representatives of neighbouring left-wing governments attended the commemorations, including Bolivian President Evo Morales and Cuban President Raul Castro. There were also representatives the governments of Ecuador, Argentina, Suriname and others.
Rallies in honour of Chavez鈥檚 memory took place across the country. In the Andean city of Merida, several thousand people marched to the central Plaza Bolivar. They chanted slogans such as 鈥淐havez lives, the struggle goes on鈥 and 鈥渢his government will continue鈥, in response to the opposition marching chant 鈥渢his government is going to fall鈥.
Commemorations included the premiere of a new documentary by Oliver Stone on Chavez's life. Titled Mi Amigo Chavez (鈥淢y Friend Chavez鈥), the documentary aired on TeleSUR on the evening of March 5.
Maduro, Chavez's successor who won presidential elections last April, described the late head of state as representative of the 鈥済reatest democratisation of political life in the 200 years of the [Venezuelan] republic鈥.
鈥淣ever before in history was there a leader who authentically loved the people, who loved the humble and respected the poor,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t was a vindication of the poor and the workers, their rights, their education, culture and dignity.鈥
However, elsewhere in the capital, right-wing opposition demonstrations continued, with barricades blocking 91自拍论坛 of the city's wealthy east side.
Roadblocks began as early as 5am in some parts of the capital, with burning garbage being used to bring morning traffic to a halt in some areas.
Along with peaceful protests, Venezuela has also seen a slew of violence and vandalism.
Despite the ongoing disturbances, education minister Hector Rodriguez on March 4 called for academic institutions, including schools and universities, to re-open after a six-day holiday for carnival celebrations. He denied rumours that classes would be suspended for an extra day as part of the March 5 commemorations.
Maduro said the opposition was exacerbating political divisions, and 鈥渁ttacking with greater force鈥.
鈥淰enezuela is having a battle for stability,鈥 Maduro said. He also hit out at the United States for interfering in Venezuela's domestic affairs.
鈥淚 will respond with strength and force to any attempt by any American government to meddle in the internal affairs of Venezuela,鈥 Maduro.
[Abridged from .]
