Remains of Bolivars exhumed

The authorities in Venezuela have exhumed the remains of two sisters of independence hero Simon Bolivar, as part of an investigation into whether he was murdered.



They have already extracted DNA samples from the bones to help determine the authenticity of the remains of Bolivar, which were exhumed in July on the orders of President Hugo Chavez.



Chavez suspects his political idol, who died in 1830, may have been the victim of a conspiracy, rather than tuberculosis.



However, his critics say he has been exploiting Simon Bolivar's memory for political ends.



President Chavez regards Bolivar as the inspiration for his socialist revolution.