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Tensions high ahead of vote on extending Chavez's rule

CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez faces his stiffest challenge in years today as voters decide whether to approve constitutional changes that would greatly expand his powers and let him seek re-election for decades to come.

Chavez has warned opponents he will not tolerate attempts to stir up violence, and threatened to cut off oil exports to the United States if Washington interferes. Venezuela is a major supplier to the United States - the No. 1 buyer of Venezuelan oil.

Chavez, who has become Latin America's most outspoken antagonist of Washington since he was first elected in 1998, calls the constitutional overhaul vital to making Venezuela a socialist state.

"Anyone who votes 'No' is voting for George W. Bush," Chavez shouted to a sea of supporters Friday. "Our true enemy is the U.S. empire, and on Sunday, Dec. 2, we're going to give another knockout to Bush."

Pollster Luis Vicente Leon said tracking polls by his firm Datanalisis in the past week show the vote is too close to predict and depends on the turnout.

[Last modified December 2, 2007, 01:39:30]