Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has ordered the expropriation of several historic buildings in the main square in the capital, Caracas.

The buildings include a former residence of the country's 19th Century independence hero, Simon Bolivar.

The president said the move was part of an effort to preserve Venezuela's national heritage.

The order is likely to please and anger Venezuelans in equal measures, says the BBC's Will Grant in Caracas.

President Chavez's instructions to take over several buildings came during an impromptu tour of the square from where he was presenting his weekly television programme, Alo Presidente.

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