Chavez foes jostle ahead of Venezuela vote, move left

CARACAS (Reuters) – Criss-crossing Venezuela armed with promises of change, opposition leaders are jostling for position to run against President Hugo Chavez, convinced they can end his long rule with a mix of centre-left policies.

The radical former soldier has been in power since 1999 and remains popular among the poor. But foes believe he is finally vulnerable and that the December 2012 election will end his brand of socialism in South America’s biggest oil exporter.

Single-minded in preparing for the election, they have no plans to