Capriles says he is "head to head" with Hugo Chávez

Coastal Vargas state, which is considered a pro-government region, on Friday warmly welcomed Henrique Capriles, the presidential candidate of opposition umbrella Group Democratic Unified Panel (MUD). Against all odds, the crowd that accompanied the challenger on his house-to-house visit in Mirabal parish showed people's support for Capriles.

Together with the candidates for governor and mayor of the entity, José Manuel Olivares and Fabiola Colmenares, respectively, Capriles described alleged plans to sabotage his election campaign as "very serious."

Regarding a meeting he held with the authorities of the Venezuelan Bishops' Conference (CEV) on Thursday, the presidential hopeful said he discussed the situation in the country and the development of his campaign.

Further, he welcomed the meeting between government officials and the Catholic church. "I hope these talks help raise the level and language of the (electoral) debate."

Capriles spoke about the election surveys and said he did not believe in the numbers announced by the government. He noted that serious polling firms have found that he is currently "head to head" with President Hugo Chávez.

"I have never lost an election and now I am running for the most important election," he said.