Venezuelas leftist President Hugo Chavez has officially unveiled the South American countrys controversial new flag, BBC Online reports Sunday.
Parliament last week approved changes to the 200-year-old design, including the addition of an eighth star to honour the province of Guayana. A white horse on the national coat of arms that appears on the flag now faces left instead of right.
The opposition has condemned the new flag as illegitimate, saying there had been no proper consultation.
– Venezuelans have two flags – one of totalitarianism, autocracy and communism… and one of democrats, Oscar Perez opposition spokesman said.
Mr Chavez used the 200th anniversary of Venezuelas first flag to present the new one to the general public.
The eighth star was added in line with the thinking of Mr Chavezs idol, the 19th century independence leader Simon Bolivar. Praising the new design, Mr Chavez said the white horse had now been “freed”.
The government wants to keep the changeover costs down by allowing a five-year transition period. Within that time frame all public buildings will have to switch to the new flag. Stamps, coins and passports will also have to be revamped, BBC adds.
