Chavez raises new flag; some protest

CARACAS, VENEZUELA
Venezuela's president raised a new national flag Sunday with changes that he said pay tribute to the independence hero Simon Bolivar. Critics of President Hugo Chavez call the change--which will affect Venezuela's currency and passports--frivolous and wasteful.

The flag features a white horse galloping left instead of right, an additional star, a bow and arrow representing Venezuela's indigenous people, and a machete to represent the labor of workers, among other changes.

Thousands attended a government parade Sunday where a white horse, floats, dancers and soldiers marched past Chavez, while his opponents held a separate march to protest the new flag and coat of arms.