Venezuela government takes over archive of independence hero Simon Bolivar's documents

Published June 05, 2010

Associated Press

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela's government has begun to take an archive of documents that belonged to independence hero Simon Bolivar.

The papers are being removed from an institution led by historians who have often criticized President Hugo Chavez.

The transfer begun Saturday is part of a broader trend. Chavez describes himself as a follower of Bolivar and his government has taken tighter control of historical artifacts related to the South American "Liberator."

The semiautonomous National Academy of History has cared for the archive since 1999. It says the documents are being transferred to the government's National Archives in perfect condition.

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