Hugo Chavez to visit Russia after election victory

Hugo Chavez, the winner of the presidential election in Venezuela, may visit Russia in the coming months, Venezuelan Ambassador to Russia Hugo José Garcia Hernandez said.

According to the ambassador, Chavez's victory at Sunday elections will strengthen the cooperation between Moscow and Caracas, the Vedomosti wrote. According to preliminary data, the 58-year-old Chavez received about 54 percent of votes at the presidential election in Venezuela. His only rival Enrique Capriles received the support from 45 percent of voters. The voter turnout was more than 80 percent of the 19 million voters, adds Rosbalt.

According to the Voice of America, this year Chavez failed to hold a vigorous campaign, as was held during the previous years. He struggled with cancer, and this struggle took a lot of his strength and energy. The Venezuelan leader does not disclose details about the disease, except for the fact that the tumor is located in the pelvic area, and that the disease is in remission.

It is worth mentioning that the current Venezuelan leader has become president for the third time in a row. Chavez first took office in 1999, and three years ago, he conducted a referendum which abolished the restrictions for one and the same person to take elective positions several times in a row.