As Chavez and Maduro images disappear, is Venezuela entering a new chapter?
As part of Delcy Rodriguez's 'Venezuela reborn' campaign, murals of leaders like Hugo Chavez are being removed.
Murals and billboards of former socialist leaders like Hugo Chavez are being removed in Venezuela. Is it a sign of change, or simply rebranding?
Caracas, Venezuela – In a small square in central Caracas, Victor Rodriguez pauses at a giant mural of a figure draped in teal green. It’s the man he credits with giving him the opportunity to become an artist: former President Hugo Chavez.
Rodriguez, who paints under the name Forastero, helped create the image for the late Venezuelan leader's birthday on July 28. He says Chavez opened up new spaces for art and culture, giving artists from poorer neighbourhoods opportunities they never had before.
“Many people in La Guaira are now unemployed because the main source of jobs and activity is tourism, hotels, restaurants, businesses. We're having a very hard time here — very, very hard," he explained.