Chavez in clear for 'socialist revolution'

CARACAS, Venezuela, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- While saying he is not emulating Cuba, newly re-elected Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is considering closing private broadcasters opposed to him.

The staunch opponent to the United States defeated Manuel Rosales by 61-38 percent on Sunday with 80 percent of ballots counted and immediately took to taunting the Bush administration.

Chavez said during campaigning he intended to alter the constitution to allow him to run for a third 6-year term after this one ends and said he would strengthen relations with Iran, another oil producing country with strained U.S. relations.

A Times of London correspondent in Caracas said Chavez has indicated as well as muzzling the media, he will also impose controls on non-governmental organizations, including AIDS charities and human rights groups during a "transition phase" as part of his quest to give the country a socialist economy.