Liquor's banned - so order your Coke with a wink

President Hugo Chavez's government may have banned liquor in the days leading up to Easter Sunday to cut road deaths, but "Blondie" the barman still pours a bracing "Coca-Cola" for hard-drinking Venezuelans.

"Long live the dry law," he said with a grin as he handed out another round of Cokes with rum. Sales of booze after 5 pm are now officially prohibited until April 9.

Despite the ban, it is almost as easy as ever to get a drink in Caracas, although bartenders have to be careful. In restaurants, beer or whisky bottles are removed from tables, and some even serve wine in coffee cups.