CARACAS, August 7 (Itar-Tass) – Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez said Monday he plans to run for presidency a yet another time so as to assure that his country passes a point of non-return along the way of Socialist construction.
Chavez said in a speech in the state of Carabobo that his goal is to steer the Bolivarian Revolution up to the moment when it becomes clear that there will be no return to the past.
The Venezuelans are supposed to go to the polls October 7. Although a total of seven candidates have been registered for the election, the main struggle will most unlikely unfold between Chavez, who has been holding the reins of power since 1999, and Enrique Capriles Radonski, the united candidate of Mesa de la Unidad Democratica /the Democratic Unity Roundtable/.
Chavez recalled the words of his former French counterpart, Jacques Chirac, that life exists outside politics, too, yet he complained he cannot afford the luxury of even a short vacation.
“I’d also like to say there’s life outside politics but there are lots things for us to do yet and that’s why I’m running for presidency again,” he said.
As he addressed a pre-election rally in the town of Valencia, Chavez said he is asking God to give him a new lease of strength, since his mission in this world has not been completed.
“I’m asking Him to give me health and an opportunity to live together with you so that I could bring my job of strengthening independence and Bolivarian democratic Socialism to completion,” he said.
Chavez who has been given two major surgeries for the purpose of eradicating a malignant tumor said he was feeling “very well.”
“I wish a long life to those who wish death to me so that they could see the Bolivarian revolution continue its march from one battle to another and from victory to victory,” he said.