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In Pictures: Venezuela’s political graffiti

Even after the death of President Hugo Chavez, “El Comandante’s” legacy looms large in Caracas’ urban environment.

Supporters believe deceased president Hugo Chavez followed in the footsteps of other Latin American revolutionaries. This image in downtown Caracas shows Chavez beside Venezuelan independence hero Simon Bolivar and communist revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevara.
By Chris Arsenault
Published On 3 Apr 2013

Despite his death, the memory of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is still a defining facet of street art in Caracas. 

With presidential elections set for April 14, Nicolas Maduro, Chavez’s chosen successor, is facing off against opposition challenger Henrique Capriles. 

“All of the prophecies of Hugo Chavez, the prophet of Christ on this earth, have come true,” Maduro said during a recent election rally. The former bus driver holds a significant lead over Capriles in opinion polls. 

For his part, Capriles has tried to separate the legacy of Chavez from Maduro’s campaign. “Nicolas, you are not Chavez!” Capriles said recently. 

Across Caracas, however, images of the former socialist president are still omnipresent. 

Graffiti on Venezuela(***)s foreign affairs ministry urges for a "popular victory".
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Chavez, who referred to himself as a "Christian socialist", is pictured beside Jesus Christ and Simon Bolivar. Christian imagery and appeals have not stopped Venezuela from forging close relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Since his death on March 5, Chavez has assumed almost mythical status in Venezuela.
"Now is the time" reads a stencil supporting opposition candidate Henrique Capriles.
Major election issues include unemployment, inflation, infrastructure, and security - especially as Caracas has become one of the most dangerous cities in Americas.
"The genie is out of the bottle", reads this pro-government stencil. "The poor are upset."
A poster supporting the Capriles is vandalised with paint bombs. The opposition complains of facing intimidation from government supporters.
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Chavez is viewed as something close to a saint by many Venezuelans.