Hugo Chavez hails 200 years of Venezuelan independence

Soldiers, Amazonian Indians with bows and arrows and flag-waving supporters of president Hugo Chavez mounted a parade in Caracas yesterday to mark 200 years of Venezuelan independence.

Mr Chavez was joined by his Latin American allies Raul Castro of Cuba and Evo Morales of Bolivia, as troops shouted in unison: "I'm an anti-imperialist socialist!"

The nation has two independence days: April 19, 1810 and July 5, 1811. On the first date citizens declared self-rule after Spain was defeated by Napoleon, then signed an official declaration of independence a year later.

Mr Chavez and the visiting leaders laid flowers at the tomb of South American independence leader Simón Bolívar. The Venezuelan leader reiterated his accusations of US interference in Latin America while praising his country's move towards "democratic socialism".

Opposition politician Pablo Medina criticised the celebration, saying Venezuela was less independent than ever because Mr Chavez's adminsitration "is falling under the growing influence of communist-led Cuba".