Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Wednesday for the first time asked the nation to forgive his mistakes as he is preparing to run in next year's presidential election.
"I apologize to the Venezuelan people for mistakes and miscalculations I have made for the twelve years of being in power," Chavez, 56, said in a TV and radio address timed to the 12th anniversary of his presidency.
The outspoken Venezuelan leader, who enjoys high popularity despite an economic recession and high inflation, said he had always tried to improve the life of ordinary people and make his country prosperous and strong, adding that crime has fallen 60% during the years he has been in office.
He also said the key task was to "bring up the younger generation in the spirit of devotion to socialist ideas."
MEXICO CITY, February 3 (RIA Novosti)
