Emboldened by a resounding re-election, President Hugo Chavez has all the political capital he needs to drive Venezuela more firmly toward socialism while posing an increasingly defiant challenge to US influence.
Rival Manuel Rosales accepted defeat on Sunday night, but promised to continue countering a leader whom he accuses of becoming increasingly authoritarian.
Touting his victory in a speech to thousands, Chavez said Venezuelans should expect an "expansion of the revolution" aimed at redistributing the country's oil wealth among the poor.
PHOTO: EPA
"Long live the revolution!" Chavez shouted from the balcony of the presidential palace. "Venezuela is demonstrating that a new and better world is possible, and we are building it."
With 78 percent of voting stations reporting, Chavez had 61 percent of the vote, to 38 percent for Rosales.
Chavez has won a loyal following among the poor through multibillion-dollar social programs including subsidized food, free university education and cash benefits for single mothers.
Chavez dedicated his victory to the ailing 80-year-old Cuban leader Fidel Castro, and called it a blow against US President George W. Bush.
"It's another defeat for the devil, who tries to dominate the world," he told the crowd of red-shirted supporters, who listened to him under pouring rain. "Down with imperialism. We need a new world."
Even before the polls closed, Chavez supporters celebrated in the streets, setting off fireworks and cruising the capital honking horns.
Since he first won office in 1998, Chavez has increasingly dominated all branches of government, and his allies now control congress, state offices and the judiciary.
Current law prevents him from running again in 2012 but he has said he plans to seek constitutional reforms that would include an end to presidential term limits.
Partial results from Sunday's vote showed Chavez had nearly 6 million votes versus 3.7 million for Rosales. Final turnout figures among the 15.9 million eligible voters weren't available but an official bulletin of partial results showed turnout at more than 70 percent.
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