This year was the second time I was able to attend celebrations on April 13, the day that democracy was restored in Venezuela. On April 11, 2002, a coup organized by ultra right-wing members of the opposition, the opposition media, the Catholic church hierarchy, a handful of military officers, and the business sector, backed by the US government attempted to overthrow the democratically-elected government of Hugo Chavez Frias. Led by former Chamber of Commerce president Pedro Carmona Estanga (dubbed "Carmona the Brief") they succeeded in dismantling the constitution, the courts, the national assembly and the rule of law for a brief 48 hours. By April 13, millions of people had taken to the streets to demand the return of the president they had elected. This year's (2007) celebration was vivid, joyous and very, very red. The theme was "Every 11th has its 13th."
Click on "slideshow" for the best views at this link:
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jay.hartling/Todo11TieneSu13Marcha2007
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