Crisis-hit Venezuela pays tribute to Chavez, two years on

The national homage included an "anti-imperialist tribunal" organized by Chavez's United Socialist Party of Venezuela, with glowing tributes coming in from regional allies, notably Cuba, as well as from Colombia's FARC rebels. The commemorations come as Chavez's hand-picked successor, President Nicolas Maduro, struggles to revive the recession-hit economy and address chronic shortages of basic goods ahead of key legislative elections this year. "The order of the day at this historic moment is to struggle and to work," Maduro said at the "tribunal" in Caracas. "No one must lower their guard." Maduro then presided over a tribute to Chavez at the "Cuartel de la Montana," the military barracks where the late leader launched his political career -- now a military museum where dozens of his supporters placed flowers at his marble tomb. More…