Venezuelans cast ballots on constitutional changes

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Hugo Chavez sought to cement his power Sunday in a vote on constitutional reforms that could let him remain president for life, a critical test for a leader bent on turning this major U.S. oil provider into a socialist state.

Opponents fear a plunge toward dictatorship. Supporters have full faith that Chavez will use the reforms to deepen grassroots democracy and more equitably spread the wealth.

Venezuelans turned out in high numbers in a vote that some pollsters predict will be close. An emboldened opposition and violent clashes in recent weeks prompted fears of bitter conflict if either side disputes the results.

"I'm very sure that everything is going to go very well," Chavez said after voting, holding his newborn grandson in his arms. "We're going to accept the results, whatever they are."

Two pro-Chavez officials said their exit polls show a victory for the reforms, but an opposition campaign official said its poll shows Chavez headed for defeat. All spoke on condition of anonymity because of election rules barring the early release of results.

The changes would create new forms of communal property, let Chavez handpick local leaders under a redrawn political map, permit civil liberties to be suspended under extended states of emergency and allow Chavez to seek re-election indefinitely. Otherwise, he cannot run again in 2012.

"He's going to be an elected dictator," said 77-year-old voter Ruben Rozenberg.

The retired blue jeans maker, who emigrated from Cuba in 1961, said that although Chavez's revolution is peaceful compared to that of Fidel Castro, "we've been violated all around" by the Venezuelan leader's progressive consolidation of power.

Across town, in a pro-Chavez slum, Jorge Blanco, a 40-year-old motorcycle taxi driver, said Chavez "is giving power to the people" through the reforms. "He opened that little door and now we're free." Of the wealthy elite, Blanco said: "What they fear is losing power."

Chavez has warned opponents he will not tolerate attempts to stir up violence, and threatened to cut off oil exports to the U.S. if Washington interferes. The United States is the No. 1 buyer of Venezuelan oil.

Latin America's most outspoken foe of Washington, Chavez calls those who resist his socialist agenda pawns of President Bush.

While his government touted polls showing Chavez ahead, surveys cited by the opposition indicated strong resistance -- unfamiliar for a leader who easily won re-election last year with 63 percent of the vote.