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In pictures: Caracas campaigning closes

Venezuela’s presidential candidates make their last pitch to voters ahead of Sunday’s election.

On the final day of official campaigning ahead of Venezuela(***)s presidential election on Sunday, hundreds of thousands took to the streets of Caracas to support interim president Nicolas Maduro.
By Chris Arsenault
Published On 12 Apr 2013

Caracas, Venezuela – Official campaigning ahead of Venezuela’s election closed on Thursday night, as interim president Nicolas Maduro and opposition challenger Henrique Capriles made their final speeches to voters.

Hundreds of thousands rallied in Caracas, the capital, to support Maduro. Some wore the trademark red shirts of the Socialist Party and fake mustaches in the bushy style of their candidate.

Capriles supporters mobilised in Barquisimeto, in Lara state, where their nominee promised major changes to the country that is believed to hold the world’s largest oil reserves. 

Sunday’s election will be the first without Hugo Chavez in 14 years. The populist former army officer died of cancer last month, and the interim leader is attempting to capitalise on his legacy.

More than 15 million Venezuelans are eligible to cast ballots on Sunday, April 14. The end of campaigning means political advertisements need to be withdrawn from the news media and alcohol sales are prohibited.

Crowds swelled across the capital, as the campaigns drew to a close.
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Maduro frequently invokes the memory of deceased president Hugo Chavez in his speeches.
Many supporters wore fake moustaches, in homage to the bushy style sported by Maduro, a former bus driver and foreign minister.
Dalia Guia, a pensioner and government supporter, said: "There have been many changes over the last 14 years. The elderly are now acknowledged. The government has invested in education, sports and healthcare. And the benefits of the oil industry are being shared."
Venezuelans from across the country descended upon the capital to show their support for their candidates.
Meanwhile, in Barquisimeto, in Lara state, a Capriles supporter painted her face in the colours of the Venezuelan flag as she attended the closing rally of his campaign.
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Capriles supporters rallied as the campaigns came to an end on the anniversary of a failed coup against the late president Hugo Chavez.
A supporter of Venezuela(***)s opposition leader and presidential candidate Henrique Capriles is lifted out of the crowd after fainting during a campaign rally in the state of Lara.
A supporter of Venezuela(***)s opposition candidate, Henrique Capriles, held a dove during a campaign rally in the northern Lara state.
Venezuela(***)s opposition leader and presidential candidate Henrique Capriles (C) greeted supporters during his final campaign rally in the state of Lara.
Capriles addressed a huge gathering as he closed his campaign. Venezuela(***)s voters head to the polls on Sunday April 14.