caRACAS: Venezuelans have went to the voting booths with President Hugo Chavez facing the biggest electoral challenge yet to his socialist rule from a young rival tapping into discontent over crime and cronyism.
Henrique Capriles, a centrist state governor, edged toward the still-popular Mr Chavez, pictured, in final polls thanks to a vigorous campaign that united opposition.
Mr Chavez has used record oil revenue to support ideological allies around the world while preaching a fiercely anti-US line, so the election will be watched eagerly from the United States to Belarus and Iran.
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