Chavez entertains supporters ahead of his sternest election test yet
Venezuelan leader plays air guitar, dances in the rain and blows kisses to his followers in Caracas, making light of rival Capriles' challenge
Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez played air guitar, danced in the rain and blew kisses to a red sea of followers, some in tears, others shouting "I love you" ahead of his toughest election test.
Hundreds of thousands of people clad in the red colours of the ruling party created a carnival-like atmosphere on the streets of Caracas despite a tropical downpour on Thursday, the last day of campaigning before tomorrow's presidential vote.
Some arrived six hours before the speech by the leftist leader, who is still the favourite to win but whose rival Henrique Capriles has surged in opinion polls.
Chavez made a rock star entrance, jogging onto the stage with both fists in the air as machines blew confetti and white smoke, throwing the crowd into a frenzy.
"He's the best president we've ever had," said Rosa Castro, 50. "Chavez is here and here," she said, pointing to her heart and a tattoo on her back of the former paratrooper giving a military salute.
After nearly 14 years in power, the president, 58, has developed a loyal following among Venezuela's poor, who have benefited from social programmes including free health care, subsidised food and university scholarships.
"He has united everybody, even the people nobody cared about before," Castro said.