CARACAS/WASHINGTON — Venezuelan 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 that has polarized the South American OPEC nation. Latin America's leftist leaders on Monday welcomed the re-election of their veteran comrade President Chavez, while the United States and Europe expressed caution. President Raul Castro of Cuba cheered Chavez's “historic triumph” in Venezuela's presidential elections and reaffirmed that he would enjoy the “unbreakable support” of his communist allies in Havana. “I congratulate you for this historic triumph, which demonstrates the strength of the Bolivarian revolution and its unquestionable popular support,” a statement said, referring to independence hero Simon Bolivar. 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. The new six-year term will let Chavez consolidate his control over Venezuela's economy, possibly by extending a wave of nationalizations, and continue his support for left-wing allies in Latin America and around the world. “Truthfully, this has been the perfect battle, a democratic battle,” Chavez thundered from the balcony of the palace late on Sunday, holding up 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.” 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. He won 54.4 percent of the vote, with 90 percent of the ballots counted, compared with 45 percent for Capriles. More than 80 percent of registered voters cast ballots. In a nod to those complaints, Chavez said he would be more focused in his new term beginning on Jan. 10. “Today we start a new cycle of government, in which we must respond with greater efficacy and efficiency to the needs of our people,” he said. “I promise you I'll be a better president.” Castro, 81, said Chavez's decisive victory in Sunday's elections “assures the continuity of the struggle for a genuine integration of our America” and pledged Cuba's “solidarity and unbreakable support.” Long championed by Cuban leader Fidel Castro, Chavez has made VenezuelaCuba's closest ally and the communist-ruled island's main source of economic support through cheap oil and an army of Cuban doctors and technicians. Other key Latin American allies shared the joy. “The victory of President Chavez is a victory for democracy,” said Bolivia's Evo Morales. “It is not just a victory for the people of Venezuela. It is a victory for the Bolivarian alliance and all of Latin America.” His words were echoed by Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa, another leftist and key regional ally. “Viva Venezuela, viva the great fatherland, viva the Bolivarian Revolution!” Correa tweeted. More congratulations came from Argentine President Cristina Kirchner and Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes. The 58-year-old leftist firebrand, known for his colorful anti-American broadsides, can now remain in power in Venezuela until 2019, by which time he will hope to have cemented Venezuela's socialist revolution in place. The US did not hide its disappointment, voicing the hope that Chavez would respect the views of Venezuela's defeated opposition. “We believe that the views of the more than six million people who voted for the opposition should be taken into account going forward,” said William Ostick, the State Department's spokesman for the Western Hemisphere. “We congratulate the Venezuelan people for the high turnout and generally peaceful manner in which this election was carried out,” he added in an email. EU foreign policy leader Catherine Ashton, echoed the US position in more cautious terms, congratulating Chavez for his re-election while also urging him “to reach out to all segments” of society. China extended its congratulations to Chavez and vowed to bring relations between the close economic partners to a “new high”.— Agencies
