Chavez has also benefited from disorganized and frequently hapless opposition, which over the last decade often has been unable to offer candidates that were viable alternatives.
Critics contend that Chavez helped clear the field this year when election officials disqualified about 400 mostly opposition candidates from running for office. They included Leopoldo Lopez, who analysts say could have won the Caracas mayoralty and is considered presidential timber.
Chavez faces criticism even among supporters. His arms buildup and foreign policy, which involves oil giveaways and the embrace of U.S. rivals, including Iran and Russia, don't sit well with many Venezuelans, who feel a closer bond with Uncle Sam.
The voting concludes an exceptionally bitter campaign in which Chavez threatened opposition candidates with military intervention if losers don't abide by the results.
Chavez also announced a corruption investigation into Zulia governor and Maracaibo mayoral candidate Manuel Rosales. Chavez defeated Rosales in the 2006 presidential election.
After voting in Caracas, Chavez said he was "prepared to recognize any result."
"Well, the 'tyrant Chavez' lost a referendum last year by a nose, fewer than 10,000 votes, and he was the first one to go out and say we lost," Chavez said at an impromptu news conference. "He congratulated the winners and advised them to manage their victory well. I learned to manage my defeats years ago."
--
chris.kraul@latimes.com
