Hugo Chávez

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Supporters of President Hugo Chavez run toward the Miraflores Palace as they celebrate in Caracas, Venezuela, on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. Venezuela's electoral council said late Sunday that President Hugo Chavez had won re-election, defeating challenger Henrique Capriles. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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A supporter of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez carries a painting of independence hero Simon Bolivar outside the Miraflores Palace as they celebrate in Caracas, Venezuela, on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. Venezuela's electoral council said late Sunday that President Hugo Chavez had won re-election, defeating challenger Henrique Capriles. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

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Henrique Capriles Radonski, governor of Miranda state, looks like the favorite to win Sunday's opposition primary to determine an opponent for President Hugo Chavez in Venezuela's Oct. 7 election. (Associated Press)

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Celebrating at a November signing ceremony in Caracas, (from left) are Jorge Giordani, Venezuela's minister of planning and finance; President Hugo Chavez; and Zhan Xiaoquiang, China's vice minister of national development and reform. (Associated Press)

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President Hugo Chavez (top) is likely to spend heavily this year to try to rev up the economy during his re-election bid, and that could worsen the country's 27-percent annual inflation rate. (Associated Press)

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Illustration: Hugo Chavez

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Illustration: Hugo Chavez

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Illustration: Hugo Chavez by Alexander Hunter for The Washington Times

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Argentina's national soccer team coach Diego Armando Maradona listens to a question from the press prior to his meeting with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, unseen, at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday July 22, 2010. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)