Hugo Chavez Gets His Wish: Venezualan Term Limits Scrapped

With this vote in place, Hugo Chavez could, if he wished, run for re-election indefinitely.

Venuezuela's National Electoral Council chief Tibisay Lucena said that with 94% of votes counted, 54% have voted in favor of the referendum.

Chavez narrowly lost in a previous measure that was bundled with a constitutional overhaul in 2007. The opposition tried to use that as a way to push voters to vote no again, citing the the slogan "No is no.” Apparently, it did not work.

Minutes after the Council declared victory for the referendum, Chavez told a jubilant crowd of thousands gathered in front of the Miraflores presidential palace:

"Victory, victory, popular victory. This is a clear victory for the people. A clear victory for the revolution.

"Today we opened wide the gates of the future. In 2012 there will be presidential elections, and unless God decides otherwise, unless the people decide otherwise, this soldier is already a candidate."