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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 after his election victory in December. Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has been sworn in for a third term after his election victory in December.
As he took the oath, Mr Chavez said he would give up his "entire life to the construction of Venezuelan socialism".As he took the oath, Mr Chavez said he would give up his "entire life to the construction of Venezuelan socialism".
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.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.
After the ceremony he is going to Nicaragua for the inauguration of president-elect Daniel Ortega.After the ceremony he is going to Nicaragua for the inauguration of president-elect Daniel Ortega.
'Socialist credentials''Socialist credentials'
Before the swearing-in, Mr Chavez laid a wreath at the tomb of 19th-century South American independence leader Simon Bolivar.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".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.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.
"I swear on Christ, the greatest socialist in history; I swear on all this; I swear on all grief; I swear on all love; I swear on all hopes," Mr Chavez said."I swear on Christ, the greatest socialist in history; I swear on all this; I swear on all grief; I swear on all love; I swear on all hopes," Mr Chavez said.
He also repeated his desire for a constitutional amendment that would scrap limits to the number of consecutive terms a president can serve.He also repeated his desire for a constitutional amendment that would scrap limits to the number of consecutive terms a president can serve.
This would allow him to run again for office after his new term expires in 2013.This would allow him to run again for office after his new term expires in 2013.
It is such plans that have led his critics to say Mr Chavez is following the road of his ally in Cuba, Fidel Castro.It is such plans that have led his critics to say Mr Chavez is following the road of his ally in Cuba, Fidel Castro.
'Improve conditions''Improve conditions'
In Nicaragua, he will later attend the inauguration of fellow socialist Daniel Ortega.In Nicaragua, he will later attend the inauguration of fellow socialist Daniel Ortega.
Nicaragua's Ortega says he wants economic stabilityMr Ortega ruled Nicaragua for 11 years after the 1979 Sandinista revolution.Nicaragua's Ortega says he wants economic stabilityMr 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.