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To supporters, "Saint Chavez" watches over Venezuela vote

By Andrew Cawthorne CARACAS (Reuters) - Fresh flowers were placed and new candles burning on Sunday at the "Saint Hugo Chavez" shrine in Caracas where devotees of the late socialist leader prayed for his last wishes to be fulfilled in the presidential vote. Before succumbing to cancer last month, Chavez urged his millions of followers to vote for then-Vice President Nicolas Maduro as the flagbearer of socialism should he die. For many, that became an almost sacred command.

Shrine to mourn and celebrate Venezuela's Chavez

It's a humble place, tucked along a noisy street in a Caracas slum that overlooks Venezuela's presidential palace far below and, beyond, the towering Avila mountain. This people's shrine - its name, "Saint Hugo Chavez del 23," inscribed in white paint - has been visited by tens of thousands of Venezuelans to pay homage to a president for some, a saint for others. Beneath a simple tin roof, there are sunflowers and votive candles, their dried wax drippings a testament to the many who've come since Chavez died of cancer on March 5.

At Chavez's coffin, Venezuelans vow more revolution

* Emotional wake for Chavez draws huge crowds * Supporters pledge to back chosen heir Maduro * Body to lie in state until Friday burial By Patricia Velez and Terry Wade CARACAS, March 7 (Reuters) - Saluting, clenching fists and making the Catholic sign of the cross over his open casket, Venezuelans flocked on Thursday to see their deceased leader one last time and pledge that his socialist revolution will not die.
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