Chavez vows to turn Venezuela into socialist state

PRESIDENT Hugo Chavez echoed Fidel Castro’s cry of ‘‘socialism or death’’ as he was sworn in for a new six-year term yesterday, promising to accelerate Venezuela’s transformation into a socialist state.

Chavez took the oath of office at the National Assembly after a sweeping re-election victory that has given him free reign to pursue more radical changes, including plans to nationalise power and telecommunications companies.

Chavez declared: ‘‘Fatherland, socialism or death — I swear it,’’ invoking the Cuban leader’s famous call to arms.