Chávez proclaimed as president for six more years

Upon formally being proclaimed by the Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE) as president of Venezuela (2013-2019), Hugo Chávez announced the introduction of two new welfare programs called "Mercosur Mission" and "Micro-Missions", and appointed Foreign Minister Nicolás Maduro as the new vice-president, the eighth in his 14 years in office, who will replace Elias Jaua.

The Venezuelan president did not reveal who will replace Maduro as foreign minister nor Jaua as the head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (MAT), another office he is in charge of. 

During the event, Chávez also reaffirmed he was willing to talk to some opposition sectors. "I will continue encouraging them to talk, discuss, and make proposals. I was very surprised when I read in the newspaper that Fedecámaras (the Venezuelan Federation of Trade and Industry Chambers) was willing to sit and talk. Well, let's talk, let's do it very clearly, but without any impositions. Those are two different things," stressed the Venezuelan reelected president.

The head of state said Venezuela was currently "shifting towards socialism" and for that reason the next term in office, he explained, "should be a period to make further progress and gain more efficiency in the transition from capitalism to socialism." Within the framework of this transition, the president announced, without giving any details, the incorporation of two new missions: Mercosur Mission and Micro-Missions.

Translated by Jhean Cabrera