Venezuelan president announces reelection bid

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Saturday formally registered his bid to seek reelection in the Dec. 3 presidential race.

Speaking at a press conference after the registration and in an address to his supporters, Chavez said he was confident of winning "another victory" in the forthcoming vote in Venezuela, the world's No. 5 oil exporter.

Chavez also revealed his plan to travel to Cuba on Saturday to celebrate Cuban leader Fidel Castro's 80th birthday on Sunday.

Seven parties and political organizations, including Movimiento V Republica and the Communist Party of Venezuela, have expressed their support for Chavez in his reelection bid.

Chavez won the presidency in December 1998 and was reelected to a six-year term in 2000 after the country's constitution was changed in a popularly elected assembly.

While the current constitution bars more than two consecutive terms, the Supreme Court ruled Chavez could run again because his initial election came when a different constitution was in effect.

Source: Xinhua