Hugo Chavez handily won reelection as Venezuela's president in early December, defeating opposition contender Manuel Rosales with more than 60 percent of the vote.

Since first taking office in 1999, every step in the rise of the left-wing leader has been seen as a blow to the United States. The 52-year-old Chavez famously called U.S. President George W. Bush "a devil, who tries to dominate the world" at this year's UN General Assembly session in September.

"Down with imperialism. We need a new world," Chavez said as he was cheered by his red-shirted supporters after the presidential poll. Western media showed growing anxiety about the election, and analysts said he has the political capital needed to push Venezuela more firmly toward socialism while posing an increasing challenge to U.S. influence.

In securing a continuous term to 2012, Chavez cemented his popularity through "an expansion of revolution" by redistributing some of the country's oil wealth through programs for the poor. As a matter of fact, most of his social welfare programs, such as subsidized food, free higher education and cash benefits for single mothers, are widely hailed by the poor, which also secured him a victory of the election by a large margin this time.

However, opponents view Chavez as a dictator-in-the-making who has tightened control over the oil industry and may seek to remove term limits from the Constitution so that he can remain longer or even permanent presidency.