Venezuelan president says "there is no way back" for his revolution

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez stressed that he is seeking a fourth consecutive term in office that will enable him to remain in power for 20 years, in order to exceed an "irreversible threshold" in a way that "there will be no way back" for the socialist revolution.

"There is still so much to do... that's why I'm a candidate," said Chávez on Monday during an electoral rally in the state of Carabobo (north Venezuela), just two months before October 7 presidential elections.

Chávez, who was diagnosed with cancer in June 2011 and has undergone surgery three times, said he "would take some time off" if he could.  

"Should I believe that all or most of our work here is done (...) I would take some time off to relax and especially to look after my sons, daughters, grandchildren, parents and even myself."

Translated by Jhean Cabrera