Chavez throws down the socialist gauntlet

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez echoed Fidel Castro’s cry of “socialism or death” as he was sworn in for a new six-year term today, 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 win that has given him free reign to pursue more radical changes, including plans to nationalise power and telecommunications companies. He said a commission was being formed to oversee constitutional reforms.