Independence parade goes ahead without Chavez

Venezuela began its annual two-day independence day celebration on Tuesday with a military parade in the capital city Caracas.
 
Thousands of troops took part in the display, which included servicemen and women from Russia and China, and military equipment such as fighter jets.
 
The event commemorates 200 years since Venezuela declared itself free from its colonial master, Spain.
 
A number of South American leaders were there to watch the display, including the presidents of Bolivia and Paraguay, Evo Morales and Jose Mujica.
 
Absent was Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who on Monday dramatically returned to the country after spending a month in Cuba for cancer treatment. He gave a rousing speech from his presidential balcony. However, on Tuesday he was visited at home by several of his top ministers.

Copyright © 2012 euronews