(L-R) President Rafael Correa, Ecuador; VP Álvaro Linera and President Evo Morales of Bolivia and President Hugo Chávez Frías, Venezuela

On Monday of this week, Venezuelans celebrated the 200th anniversary of their independence from Spain. The celebration created and organized by the government proved to be worthy of the significance of this all-important event in Venezuelan history. Presidents and other dignitaries from many countries attended the celebration and festivities. Venezuelans are famous for their high, positive spirits and for their love of festivals, especially those that commemorate their revolution. Their energy spiraled to dizzying heights under Monday's hot sun as the festivities in Caracas progressed throughout the day. In addition, millions of Venezuelans celebrated the Bicentenario in other cities and towns across the country. Below, we provide a report on Monday's festivities and our extensive and colorful photo essay of the days events. First, a brief review of the Venezuela's history beginning on April 19, 1810.

Venezuela's war for independence (1811-1823) was the first in Latin America’s independence movement under the leadership of South American General, Simón Bolívar. It was part of a series of related emancipation movements throughout Latin America. The Venezuelan war was integral to other South American wars of independence as military and political collaboration among countries was common. This was largely due to the vision Bolivar and his colleagues had for a United South America. 180 years after his death, more than ever, Bolívar is regarded in Latin America as a hero, visionary, revolutionary and "El Libertador". Before he died at the young age of 47, he had led Bolivia (his namesake), Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela to independence and instilled the principles of democracy in Latin American.

Patriots confronted the new Spanish Captain-General, Vicente Emparán in Caracas on April 19, 1810 and demanded self-rule for Venezuela. They stripped Emparán of his authority and sent him back to Spain. The patriots had already drawn up Venezuela’s provisional Declaration of Independence and April 19 is known for the “Firma Acta de la Independencia” or “Signing of the Act of Independence.” At this time in 1810, Bolivar went on a mission to London to obtain arms and support and persuaded exiled Francisco de Miranda to return to Venezuela to help lead the revolution. Miranda’s attempt to free Venezuela from Spain in 1806 was defeated and this was his opportunity to help Bolivar, José Félix Ribas and revolutionary leaders to finally liberate Venezuela from the Spanish. The patriots, who declared independence on April 19, immediately outlawed slavery, exempted the Indigenous from paying tribute, eliminated or reduced trade barriers and decided to send envoys to the U.S. and Britain.

Venezuela's first 4 Republics

But independence from Spain did not come so easily. The declaration on April 19 resulted in battles fought for cities and towns across the country. On July 5, 1811 the new patriotic government voted to sever relations altogether with Spain and to create the First Venezuelan Republic. Venezuela endured a total of four (4) Republics under which it has suffered various regimes more loyal to foreigners than they were to their own nation.

The First Republic of Venezuela was the first independent government of Venezuela that began with the declaration of independence on 19 April 1810 and ended on 25 July 1812 when a Spanish captain, Domingo Monteverde defeated the republican army and reentered Caracas. A devastating earthquake in March, 1812 is often blamed for the fall of the First Republic. The Second Republic was declared by Bolívar on August 7, 1813 after he led his troops to defeat Monteverde. The Second Republic was short-lived, ending the following year, after a series of defeats by the Spanish under the leadership of José Tomás Boves. Bolívar retook the country and formed the Third Republic by 1817 and in 1818 he proclaimed the "Republic of Gran Colombia, encompassing present day Colombia, Venezela and Ecuador. The Fourth Republic endured for the last 4 decades of the twentieth century and its 2-party political system was known for its subservience to Washington, capitalist agenda and the uprising of the people in 1989, known as the "Caracazo". The Caracazo was crushed with a massacre by the state under President Carlos Andres Perez which ended the 4th Republic.

Advent of the 5th Republic

The 1989 Caracazo and growing revolt of the people was precursor for the advent of Hugo Chavez Frias with his crushed military coup attempt in 1992. After the attempted coup he was imprisoned and upon his release in 1994 he began his political career which ended in his stunning victory in the 1998 presidential election. For many millions in Venezuela and around the world, President Chavez’ arrival is seen to be nothing less than the return of Bolivar, a decisive blow to foreign domination, the final stage of complete independence and the onset of the re-emergence of the Bolivarian Revolution. President Chavez’ election in 1998 and the constitutional assembly in 1999 represented nothing short of a second declaration of independence from the foreign occupiers and neocolonists led by the United States who arrived in the wake of Spanish rule. The new constitution was written in a democratic process in which all sectors of society were consulted. It was ratified in referendum by an overwhelming majority vote on Dec 15, 1999.

Deepening of the Revolution

Under the leadership of President Hugo Chavez, the nation is now in it’s 11th year of the Fifth Republic, declared so in 1999 with the writing of a new constitution. The Fifth Republic has ushered in the next stage, further advancing the country’s independence from foreign meddling and control, particularly that of the United States. The U.S. and European tentacles became spliced to the very bureaucratic tissue of Venezuela for centuries – bureaucracies inherited by President Chavez who chose a democratic path of attrition rather than purging them. In his victory speech on the night of the 2006 presidential elections, President Chavez said, “We will now deepen the revolution.” Last Monday, on the 200th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence from Spain, President Chavez told the celebrants,

"We're still not fully independent but now we'll finish the job."

Even today, many in Venezuelan bureaucracies work hand-in-glove with the foreigner to overthrow the Bolivarian Government. So the long march toward complete political, cultural, economic and social independence continues. But the message from the people of Venezuela is clear: The Bolivarian Revolution is a permanent revolution.

The Bicentennial Celebrations on Monday, April 19, 2010

The Bicentenario celebrated on Monday in Caracas and other Venezuelan cities, towns and countrysides was bathed in the euphoria of triumph and rejoicing among the millions who have a deep understanding of what liberation from foreign occupation and independence really mean. Paradoxically, Monday’s euphoria also bore the solemn traces of the cost and of a history written in blood and sacrifice for independence gained. The day was filled with music, dancing, costumes and theatre and crowned with the attendees from around the world who came to share in the fun and support the Bolivarian government. It was attended by the heads of state from the ALBA countries including Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, Nicaragua Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Many other countries showed their support for Venezuela by sending their emissaries and many sent troop detachments to participate in the cultural and military parades that continued throughout the day down Avenida Monumental de Los Proceres. On Monday night dignitaries from around the world met in Assemblea Nacionale (Halls of Congress) to continue the celebration where Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner gave the keynote address. Following this meeting, Presidents of ALBA countries met in a late night session to consolidate their plans and renew their commitment toward the full independence of all Latin American states.

The Bicentennial Parade

The following photo essay is our attempt at the impossible task of capturing the rarified spirit that can only flow from an empowered people who understand the meaning of authentic democracy, freedom and independence.

The cultural parade: The first part of the essay depicts some of the cultural displays in the bicentennial of Venezuela’s Declaration of Independence from Spain. The wonderful costumes displayed reveal the colorful culture and creativity of the Venezuelan people.

The military marching parade: The second part displays the military men and women from Venezuela and troops from many other countries who marched in the military parade. You will see troops from all the ALBA countries and as far away as Belarus. Troops marching of particular interest are the civilian militias recently established to defend the country and the armed campasinos trained to protect themselves from wealthy landowners who murdered over 220 peasant farmers since 2004.

The Arms Parade: The arms parade is third feature of this photo essay. The parade of arms began with with farm tractors from Belarus and combines from Argentina. Belarus is also going to supply big heavy-duty BelAZ trucks to Venezuela. Iranian automobiles and farm tractors are also being manufatured in Venezuela. Also featured in the march are Argentina-built Don Roque farm combines. The emphasis on farm equipment in the parade symbolizes Venezuela's intense drive for food sovereignty well underway. Notice that these farmers like the campesinos in the marching parade are trained and armed to defend themselves against the paramilitaries hired by rich landowners to drive the campesinos from their land.

After the farm equipment come the parade of military arms. The excitement and intensity of the parade leaped forward as divisions of tanks, troop carriers and a variety of armed and armored vehicles sped up and down all 4 lanes of Avenida Monumental de Los Proceres as Russian-built helicopters and 24 Sukhoi fighter jets roared over the spectacle at low altitudes.

The set and setting: Finally, the essay ends with photos of the beautiful plaza Monumental de Los Proceres adjacent to the parade route. This bicentennial photo exhibit may require more than one visit so please feel free to return at your leisure in the future.

Photo Essay of Venezuela's Bicentennial
Celebration of Independence from Spanish Rule
(Edited by Fariba Agheli)