The exhibition of a Colombian artists showing Venezuelan President Hugo
Chavez as Chapulin Colorado (the Red Grasshopper) saying “Do not count
on my cleverness” was canceled due to protests of the Venezuelan
embassy.
The artist Jorge Mendez made an exhibition of a short animated video showing international politicians with different characterizations. U.S. President Barack Obama appears as Santa Claus, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe is dressed as a guard, former presidency candidate Ingrid Betancourt has the body of an Oscar award and Chavez is the famous Chapulin Colorado.
The video was to be shown in Bogota at the Convenio Andres Bello (CAB) institution. However, the exhibition was canceled four hours before its opening because the “Venezuelan embassy was furious. They complained and the CAB cancelled the exhibition,” Mendez told the newspaper El Tiempo.
The 29-year-old artist assured he never intended to offend anybody, he just wanted to entertain. Mendez is surprised that the CAB simply canceled the exhibition saying it is “very strong criticsm against Chavez. They knew the image before.”
Consulted by El Tiempo, the Venezuelan embassy and the directorate of the CAB refused to give statements on the topic.