Venezuela's presidential elections: What you need to know

Venezuelans will go to the polls on 7th October to choose the country's next president.

Hugo Chavez seeks to extend his 14 year rule for another six-year term - officially his third under the current constitution. He served another term before the law was changed.

He has been the leader of what he has called a "revolution of 21st Century socialism" but argues that he needs more time for it to succeed.

BBC Mundo's Margarita Rodriguez explains the background to the election, and the global impact the result will have.