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Venezuela's Hugo Chavez sworn-in Venezuela's Hugo Chavez sworn-in
(40 minutes later)
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has been sworn-in for a third term in office after his landslide election victory in December. Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has been sworn-in for a third term after his election victory in December.
Mr Chavez has already said he plans to extend his "socialist revolution" and that he wants the National Assembly to give him the power to rule by decree. As he took the oath, Mr Chavez said he would give up his "entire life to the construction of Venezuelan socialism".
After the ceremony, he is going to Nicaragua for the inauguration of president-elect Daniel Ortega. The president has already promised to extend his "Bolivarian revolution" and called on the National Assembly to give him the power to rule by decree.
Mr Ortega ruled Nicaragua for 11 years after 1979's Sandinista revolution. After the ceremony he is going to Nicaragua for the inauguration of president-elect Daniel Ortega.
'Socialist credentials'
Before the swearing-in, Mr Chavez laid a wreath at the tomb of 19th-century South American independence leader Simon Bolivar.
In front of a full Congress, Mr Chavez was sworn-in to chants of "Long live socialism".
Mr Chavez broke with tradition and wore the presidential sash over his left shoulder, instead of the right, in what he said was a symbol of his socialist credentials, Reuters news agency reported.
In Nicaragua, he will later attend the inauguration of his ally Daniel Ortega.
Mr Ortega ruled Nicaragua for 11 years after the 1979 Sandinista revolution.
The one-time revolutionary has said he wants to maintain economic stability and will not impose any radical changes of economic policy.The one-time revolutionary has said he wants to maintain economic stability and will not impose any radical changes of economic policy.
He has said he wants to spend more on education and health care and improve conditions for the 80% of the population who live on $2 a day or less.He has said he wants to spend more on education and health care and improve conditions for the 80% of the population who live on $2 a day or less.
Mr Ortega's Sandinistas fought a decade-long civil war with the Contra rebels who were backed by the United States.Mr Ortega's Sandinistas fought a decade-long civil war with the Contra rebels who were backed by the United States.
The US has said it will work with Mr Ortega if his government backs democracy.The US has said it will work with Mr Ortega if his government backs democracy.