Chavez Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Coup Attempt Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the failed coup attempt that launched his political career. Chavez presided over a military parade alongside Cuban President Raul Castro and Bolivian President Evo Morales. He said during Saturday's parade that the military is now made up of commanders and troops who are "socialists and Chavistas." Chavez was an army paratroop commander when he led the failed attempt to topple the government of President Carlos Andres Perez on Feb. 4, 1992. Chavez was jailed and later pardoned. The government has held celebrations on the date since Chavez took office in 1999. Opponents have criticized the festivities while noting that dozens were killed in the coup attempt.