Chavez sworn in, pledges to build socialist Venezuela

Jan 10, 2007, 17:16 GMT

Caracas - Controversial Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez vowed to build a socialist country as he was sworn in on Wednesday for a new term through 2013.

'I will give my arm no rest and my soul no respite and I will devote my days to the construction of Venezuelan socialism, to the construction of a new political system, of a new social system and a new economic system,' Chavez said before National Assembly speaker Cilia Flores.

The left-wing populist, 52, swore 'by Christ, the greatest socialist in history,' to abide by the country's constitution - which his followers rewrote and which went into effect in 1999 - and by the mandate which he obtained from Venezuelans.

'Homeland, socialism or death,' Chavez ended, before Flores formally declared him president and ceremonially switched the presidential sash from one side of his chest to the other.

The leader of a failed military coup in 1992, Chavez was democratically elected Venezuelan president on February 3, 1999. He has since re-shaped the country's political system.

Elections in 2000 under the new constitution gave Chavez his second term in office. Later, he survived a coup that briefly ousted him from power in April 2002.

In Wednesday's speech, the Venezuelan president said he intends to secure 'the greatest sum of happiness and social security' for his fellow citizens, and that a local version of socialism is the only way to achieve that goal.

'It is not possible in capitalism. It is only possible through the Venezuelan path towards socialism,' Chavez said.