Hugo Chavez

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has rallied hundreds of thousands of supporters in Caracas in advance of the December 3 presidential vote.

Mr. Chavez told the crowd Sunday that his goal is not to merely win, but to outdo previous triumphs in a way that is overwhelming and crushing.

Polls show Mr. Chavez well ahead of his opponent Manuel Rosales.

Mr. Chavez has built strong support in Venezuela for his criticism of the Bush administration and for programs he says will improve the lives of the nation's poor.

Mr. Rosales is the governor of Zulia state. He has criticized Chavez' ties to Cuba's Fidel Castro, saying Venezuelans want modernity, not the Cubanization of their country.

Mr. Rosales held a campaign rally Saturday that also attracted hundreds of thousands of supporters.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.