The book Hugo Chavez, My First Life written by Spanish journalist and writer Ignacio Ramonet in commemoration of Chavez’s 60th birthday. Photos: Reuters

Supporters of Venezuela’s late socialist leader Hugo Chavez unveiled yet another novel way of keeping his memory alive − a font for typing in El Comandante’s handwriting style.

The distinctive ‘ChavezPro’ font was launched by a group of young ‘anti-imperialists’ to coincide with nationwide commemorations of the 60th anniversary of his birth.

Chavez’s bold scrawl became famous to Venezuelans as he used to spend hours on national TV writing and drawing on boards and papers to explain policies, develop ideas and sign deals.

His signature, in red for socialist, adorns T-shirts, baseball caps and the walls of buildings around the nation.

The new font can be downloaded for free from the Creative Trench group’s website (www.trincheracreativa.com).

They used letters written by Chavez while he was in jail for a failed 1992 coup attempt to digitalise his handwriting.

ChavezPro was launched by group of young anti-imperialists

Government opponents roll their eyes at the deification of Chavez, and his ubiquitous presence in public life. They see it as a cover for the failings of his successor Nicolas Maduro who was elected after Chavez died of cancer last year. Images of his eyes, face and clenched fist are stencilled and reproduced all over Venezuela. Recordings of his voice also thunder out at government rallies, singing the national anthem or exhorting the people: “You are all Chavez!”

Fireworks this week marked the beginning of commemorations being led by Maduro with some foreign leaders in tow prior to a summit of South American bloc Mercosur.

Later, Maduro led a ceremony at Chavez’s rural hometown of Sabaneta in the Venezuelan llanos or plains where he was born.

Maduro, who was widely mocked by foes last year for claiming to have seen Chavez’s spirit in a bird, said he had received another apparition on Monday. He told relatives of Chavez and officials at the event: “A little bird approached me again. The little bird said El Comandante was happy, full of the love and loyalty of his people. He must be proud, happy.”