Venezuelans are voting in a key presidential election. Interim President Nicolas Maduro,who served as Chavez’s foreign minister and vice president, is running against opposition candidate Henrique Capriles. In his election campaign, Maduro has pledged to push forward Chavez’s “21st century socialism, “which has brought popular health, education and food programmes to the poor”.
Maduro’s challenger Capriles has said Venezuelans are tired of divisive “Chavista” politics and vowed to bring change to the nation of 28 million people. The latest opinion polls show that Maduro has a convincing lead over his opposition rival.
Chavez, who ruled Venezuela for 14 years, died March 5, aged 58, after a two-year-long fight with cancer. He named Maduro as his successor before undergoing the latest surgery in December.
