Halyey Hugo Chaves re elected for a 3rd time

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Venezuela's Hugo Chavez wins 3rd term, vows to deepen socialist revolution

 

In Venezuela, Hugo Chavez won another 6-year term as president of the oil-rich nation with official results showing the socialist leader garnering 54 percent of the vote. NBC's Kerry Sanders reports.

By NBC News staff and wire reports

Updated at 8:35 a.m. ET: CARACAS, Venezuela -- President Hugo Chavez scored a comfortable election victory that could extend his rule to 20 years and vowed to deepen his self-styled socialist revolution after a bitterly fought race against a youthful rival who has galvanized Venezuela's opposition.

Tens of thousands of ecstatic supporters thronged the streets around the presidential palace in downtown Caracas, pumping fists in the air and shouting Chavez's name after the former soldier beat opposition candidate Henrique Capriles by more than 9 percentage points.

"Viva Chavez," screamed 15-year-old Samuel Urbina as he rode in a car filled with relatives.

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However, Chavez only got 135,000 more votes this time around than he did six years ago, while the opposition boosted its tally by 1.85 million.

Capriles also narrowed Chavez's margin of victory to his smallest yet in a presidential contest.

Chavez won 54 percent of votes compared to Capriles' 45 percent, according to Venezuela's National Electoral Council. In 2006, Chavez's margin of victory was 27 points.

Turnout this year was around 80 percent.

Capriles, a state governor, had accused the flamboyant incumbent of unfairly leveraging to his advantage Venezuela's oil wealth as well as his near total control of state institutions.

Replica sword

The new six-year term will let Chavez consolidate his control over Venezuela's economy by extending a wave of nationalizations and continue his support for left-wing allies in Latin America and around the world. It also cemented Chavez as a dominant figure in modern Latin American history.

 

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"Truthfully, this has been the perfect battle, a democratic battle," Chavez thundered from the balcony of the presidential palace on Sunday, waving a replica of the sword of independence hero Simon Bolivar. "Venezuela will continue along the path of democratic and Bolivarian socialism of the 21st century."

PhotoBlog: Chavez wields Bolivar sword at victory rally

Supporters dripping with sweat strained to catch a glimpse of Chavez from the street below the palace while dancing and drinking rum.

More Venezuela coverage from NBC News

It was an extraordinary victory for a leader who just a few months ago feared for his life as he struggled to recover from cancer. Chavez spoke little during the campaign about his fight with cancer, which since June 2011 has included surgery to remove tumors from his pelvic region as well as chemotherapy and radiation treatment. He has said his most recent tests showed no sign of illness.

According to Venezuela’s constitution, if Chavez were to die within the first four years of his term, then his vice president, Elías Jaua, would serve as president only until a special election is held.

But if the president dies within the last two years of his term, then the vice president would serve as president until the end of the term.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

[Che -Guevara]

Two terms is long enough. He should have groomed a successor and reexamined his policies as many don't seem to be working for anyone.

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Jafees, one of the top three living leaders. I can't forget ten years ago when there was afgambi attempt on his administration. It would've worked for his opponents if it weren't his very popular support he got from the masses. They literally put him back in the palace within days. Now, that is a true leader where the people really care about him and he cares about them.

[Che -Guevara]

Apophis;878422 wrote:

^^ Your imperialist talks isn't welcome here. Socialism works.

Chavez policies have handicapped Venezuela economically and socially. Heavily subsiding daily necessities and nationalizing oil companies maybe populist thing to do but it doesn't address the problem of high unemployment or raise the living standard of Venezuela's poor not to mention deep political division within the society and the brain drain.

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Yea, yea, yea, horaa u maqalnay taas. I guess Goldman Sachs and the other corrupt and lying honchos in Wall Street raise the living standards of poor people. Maan, you have tainted that name you are carrying on SOL now.

 

For your information,

 

 

[BoldNewSomali]

The people of Venezuela love this guy. The documentary about the coup attempt against him is a must see. Its called "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised".

[GaadhHaye]

Compare that to the streets of Jeddah, the commercial city of Saudi Arabia, the richest oil nation on the planet; the King is the owner and Mr. Hugo Chaves is an employee who can be dismissed if needed….Caku

 

 

[Che -Guevara]

MMA.....You are offering false choice, false dichotomy if you will. The world is not choice between Gold Sachs and Hugo's Bavarian revolution. The system he set up is not sustainable as resources are finite.While I believe in social safety for all, what is equally important is innovation and competition through private enterprise with government oversight, A nanny state with vast uneducated masses can not survive. Yes, invest in infrastructure, education, and health but have vibrant private enterprise that can create the jobs needed to elevate poverty instead of handing out keys to houses and farms the poor don't know how o farm.

[AYOUB]

^ Bolivarian not Bavarian.

 

You do sound more Tony Blair than Che.

[Che -Guevara]

^Actually Bolivarian but thanks. One has to be pragmatic not be swayed by slogans and rhetoric. Even Cuba is reforming itself and allowing people to own businesses and not be entirely dependent on the State albeit at snail's pace.

[AYOUB]

^ Is yours just a theory, or is there (or has there) been an example of what you're saying?