Feature: Hugo Chavez legacy lives on in Venezuela despite woes

Two years after the untimely death of Venezuela's reformist President Hugo Chavez, his vibrant voice and strong anti-imperialist views continue to resonate in a deeply divided society struggling with economic woes.

The memory of the late leader remains vivid in the minds of millions of his followers, particularly in the country's poorer regions, which Thursday marked the second anniversary of his death from cancer.

Paintings of Chavez and his message adorned buildings, schools and even commercial avenues throughout Venezuela, but his legacy is most evident among Venezuelans whose living standards he had worked to improve.

In 1999, Chavez embarked on a presidency that changed the course of the Venezuelan history by putting the people, instead of the political class, above all. ( His policies slashed poverty rates and raised the living standards with social, educational, health, housing, sports and cultural programs, all of which made him the most popular president that Venezuela has ever had in the past 200 years.

A former soldier, his charismatic personality, fierce political independence, ability to stand up to the United States' domination and tireless defense of the poor won him respect both at home and abroad.

His larger-than-life persona, backed by Venezuela's abundant oil earnings at the time, allowed him to spearhead radical reforms in a country long ruled by a business elite.

His successor, Nicolas Maduro has continued the socialist reforms started by his predecessor, despite political and social unrest, and economic strife.

"President Maduro has reaffirmed that our 'chavista' forces are very strong and we continue with Chavez's guidance to implement a socialist model in our nation," Culture Minister Reinaldo Iturriza said.

Iturriza believes that opposition groups have tried over the last two years to "dismember" the revolutionary and socialist forces with numerous strategies, including "terrorism, psychological and economic warfare, and coup attempts."

"They thought the day after Chavez died that our revolution was over because he was the true leader. However, Chavez left a legacy of conscience and political identity in our country that cannot be broken," said the minister.

Since Chavez first appeared on national television after leading a failed military rebellion in 1992, he became a political phenomenon in a nation with 80 percent poverty.

"Chavez was our hope in those years and after he came to power he gave the Venezuelan people true dignity with rights never seen before in the history of this country," said Laura Trujillo, a 42 year-old housewife.

"Our president is really trying hard but he faces not only problems with the opposition and the United States, but also with new issues within political groups in the government that were not seen before," she added.

Venezuela's political opposition has since Maduro's election campaigned to have him step aside, promoting often violent anti-government protests.

In the nation's poorer regions, those who have benefited from Chavez's reforms remain hopeful that Maduro can move beyond the difficulties and efficiently implement the economic and social policies promoted by the late president.

"We have to implement Chavez's theory of politics, which is eminently democratic, popular and with the people. It also only makes sense if our new leaders are permanently in touch with the people and listening to their needs," Iturriza said. Endi