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Venezuela's ruling Socialist Party has formally selected President Nicolas Maduro to run for re-election in the upcoming presidential election, party Vice-President Diosdado Cabello said during a televised party gathering on Friday.
Maduro, 55, who narrowly won election in 2013 to replace Hugo Chavez, is the favorite to win the presidential vote, due before the end of April, as his leading opponents are barred from standing.
Posting on Twitter, Maduro said: "With the heart of a Chavismo, I accept this nomination with love. I know that together we will achieve victory."
On January 26, Maduro had pledged to be "the president of Venezuelan youth and women" after announcing his candidacy for the forthcoming elections.
In a meeting with young Venezuelans, he expressed his gratitude to youth organizations dedicating their lives to health missions, universities and high schools urged them to defend their rights to culture, education and sports.
For the next six years, both the government and society must dedicate themselves to building a renewed Venezuela and to "change everything that must be changed," Maduro said.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Maduro also vowed to be "the president of the women. I declare myself a feminist. My hand doesn't tremble and my ministers know it. I will ensure that not a single woman loses access to her rights, today and tomorrow."
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