Throughout the evening rumors abounded here in Caracas, and for some time it looked as though Capriles was in the lead by an irreversible count. But, in a country where Chavismo reigns, nothing is certain, certainly not results announced on this polemic evening.

For the rest of this article please check out my new blog on FPA: http://foreignpolicyblogs.com/2012/10/08/hugo-chavez-wins-re-election/