Latin American leaders mark Hugo Chavez's birth anniversary

Leaders of Latin America and the Caribbean marked the 60th birth anniversary of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez by vowing to carry on his legacy.

Hailing him as a "prophet who came to change our history", Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Monday presided over a ceremony in Chavez's hometown of Sabaneta and said the celebrations were an honour to ratify huge commitments that millions made to Chavez, Xinhua reported.

Maduro said that the legacy of Chavez's Bolivarian Revolution would continue to ensure peace, prosperity and welfare in Latin America.

The Bolivarian Revolution was launched to implement popular democracy, economic independence and an end to political corruption in Venezuela.

Maduro condemned the US government for its attempt to overthrow the Bolivarian revolutionary project.

"Nothing and nobody are going to blackmail us, our conduct is in favour of our independence. We'll never forget the ideals Commander Chavez taught us, we are heirs of his struggle," Maduro said.

Chavez governed Venezuela from 1999 until his death March 5, 2013, after a two-year battle with cancer.

Meanwhile, President of Bolivia Evo Morales urged the Venezuelan people to unite as one and to consolidate the Bolivarian Revolution.

Similarly, Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega stressed the historic significance of Hugo Chavez as a catalyst for the Latin American and Caribbean integration currently felt in the region.

Head of state of El Salvador, Salvador Sanchez Ceren, said Chavez's ideals would continue to guide the destinies of Latin America and the Caribbean nations through the joint efforts of the Venezuelan president and its people.

Across the country, people marked the day with book readings, concerts and other activities.