Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has opened the coffin of his idol Simon Bolivar as Venezuela investigates the president’s suspicions of foul play in the South American independence hero’s death nearly two centuries ago.
Chavez announced the exhumation of Bolivar’s remains on Friday and displayed the intact skeleton briefly on national television, saying he wept when he saw the bones of the inspiration for his Bolivarian Revolution.
While historians have generally concluded that Bolivar died of tuberculosis in 1830, Chavez has another theory — that Bolivar was murdered — even though he acknowledges it may not be possible to prove.
State television showed footage of white-clad officials opening the coffin. Specialists will carry out DNA testing on the remains, which were well-preserved and include teeth in “perfect” shape, hair, remnants of a shirt and boots, Chavez said.
Those who opened the coffin wore surgical gloves, hairnets and gas masks. Chavez interrupted a speech late on Friday to show footage of them rolling back a black cloth to reveal the skeleton while the national anthem played.
“Viva Bolivar,” Chavez said. “It’s not a skeleton. It’s the Great Bolivar, who has returned.”
Chavez opened Bolivar’s tomb unannounced, spreading the news on Twitter shortly after midnight on Thursday: “What impressive moments we have lived tonight!! We have seen the remains of the Great Bolivar!”
“Our father who is in the earth, the water and the air ... You awake every hundred years when the people awaken,” Chavez continued. “I confess that we have cried, we have sworn allegiance.”
Bolivar’s remains have been kept since 1876 at the National Pantheon in Caracas, where foreign leaders visiting Chavez often pay homage at the tomb with flower-laying ceremonies.
Chavez said one key aim is “glorifying Bolivar” by removing his remains from a lead sarcophagus and moving them to a grander final resting place. He said the skeleton was temporarily moved to a vacuum-sealed plastic case, promising to place it in a gold casket.
The government also will build a new pantheon to house Bolivar’s remains, Chavez said.
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