Hugo Chavez ally scrapes to victory in Venezuela
The former bus driver rose through the political ranks with his faithful support of the late President.
World leaders gather for funeral of Hugo Chavez
More than 20 world leaders are expected to attend the funeral today, but there will be no burial as he will be embalmed.
Body of 'El Comandante' lies in state
Thousands flocked to the streets of Caracas to see the coffin of Chavez travel through the city to lie in state until Friday's funeral.
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Venezuela votes on successor to Hugo Chavez
The people of Venezuelan voted on whether to honour Hugo Chavez's dying wish for a long time loyalist to continue his self-styled socialist revolution or hand power to a young challenger promising business-friendly changes.
Acting President Nicolas Maduro led opposition rival Henrique Capriles in most polls heading into the vote, buoyed by Chavez's public blessing before he died from cancer last month.
Maduro supporters mobilised voters with pre-dawn bugle calls in the rough barrios of Caracas, where Chavez is revered as a hero of the poor.
Read: Capriles alleges plan to “change” Venezuala election.
"We're going to elect Maduro president because he's following the path set by Chavez," Morelia Roa, a 58-year-old nurse, said after casting her ballot in the same working class Caracas district where Maduro voted.
Lines formed under blistering sunshine at some voting centers, but many were shorter than they were at last October's election, when an ailing Chavez beat Capriles. Then, a record 80 percent of registered voters cast ballots following an aggressive get-out-the-vote campaign by the Chavista camp.
Capriles alleges plan to “change” Venezuala election
Venezuela opposition candidate Henrique Capriles has alleged via Twitter there is a plan to “change” the country's election result.
Alertamos al país y al mundo la intención de querer cambiar la voluntad expresada por el Pueblo!Hacer RT a este mensaje
From @hcapriles on Twitter:Venezuela's opposition leader, Capriles, alleged there was a plan to try and change the results of the South American nation's presidential election.
"We alert the country and the world of the intention to try and change the will expressed by the people," he said in a Twitter message.
Capriles' aides confirmed the tweet was legitimate.
Government officials called it irresponsible.
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Venezuela acting president threatens curse on election
Venezuelan acting president Nicolas Maduro has said a centuries-old curse would fall on the heads of those who do not vote for him in next week's election to pick a successor to late leader Hugo Chavez.
Maduro's invocation of the "curse of Macarapana" was the latest twist in an increasingly surreal fight between him and opposition leader Henrique Capriles for control of the South American OPEC nation of 29 million people.
"If anyone among the people votes against Nicolas Maduro, he is voting against himself, and the curse of Macarapana is falling on him," said Maduro, referring to the 16th-century Battle of Macarapana when Spanish colonial fighters massacred local Indian forces.
Acting Venezuelan President Maduro registers his candidacy
To the cheers of thousands of supporters, acting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro officially registered his candidacy today for the upcoming elections.
The 50-year-old arrived to the National Electoral Council driving his own bus to register his candidacy.
"I am going to accomplish his orders (referring to Chavez) with the biggest love that he cultivated in our hearts. I am not Chavez, but I am his son and together with the people, we are Chavez," Maduro said after registering his candidacy.
Both Maduro and opposition leader Henrique Capriles have begun Venezuela's election race with scathing personal attacks on one another.
Maduro, who was sworn in as acting president after Chavez succumbed to cancer last week, is seen as the favourite to win the April 14 election, bolstered by an oil-financed state apparatus and a wave of public sympathy over Chavez's death.
Venezuelan opposition leader to challenge for presidency
Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles said he will challenge the late Hugo Chavez's preferred successor for the presidency of the South American OPEC nation next month, setting the stage for a bitter campaign.
Capriles, a 40-year-old state governor, will face election favourite and acting President Nicolas Maduro. The pair have until Monday to register their candidacies for the vote on April 14th.
The election will decide whether Chavez's self-styled socialist and nationalist revolution will live on in the country with the world's largest proven oil reserves.
Venezuela's opposition leader 'to run for president'
Opposition leader Henrique Capriles will run for president in Venezuela's April election and is expected to formally announce the decision later today, two sources in his camp said.
"There's a lot of negativity around, it's going to be tough, but we're going to do it", one of the sources told Reuters.
"Henrique's made his decision. He's not backing down."
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Opposition leader 'evaluating' election date ruling
Venezuela's centrist opposition leader, Henrique Capriles, said he was "evaluating" the election date ruling and has thanked the coalition for proposing his candidacy.
Venezuela presidential election set for April 14
The Venezuela presidential election will be held on April 14, the country's election commission told Reuters.
Acting President Nicolas Maduro, the protege of deceased leader Hugo Chavez, is the favourite to win the election in a likely face-off with centrist opposition Governor Henrique Capriles.
Venezuela's acting president calls for snap election
Acting Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has asked the country's election authority to call a vote immediately.
Officials are expected to announce the election date on Saturday as the South American country appoints a permanent successor to Hugo Chavez.
Mr Maduro, meanwhile, also named the late president's son-in-law Jorge Arreaza as his vice president during his time as interim leader.
Venezuela's interim president begins with fist pump
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