Venezuelans voted overwhelmingly to keep President Hugo Chavez in office, dealing a crushing defeat to a splintered opposition that waged a long and bitter campaign to oust him.

PRESIDENT Hugo Chavez survived a popular referendum to oust him according to early results yesterday as Venezuela's opposition swiftly claimed fraud.

President Hugo Chavez survived a popular referendum to oust him in a vote that attracted so many Venezuelans that they overwhelmed ballot stations, according to results announced today.

A week before a recall referendum on President Hugo Chavez’s rule, supporters and opponents of the Venezuelan leader held massive events in Caracas, each side confident of victory in the emotionally-charged election.