PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has sent a message of congratulation to  Mr. Hugo Chavez Frias on his re-election as President of Venezuela. The Guyanese Head of State said he is looking forward to even closer relations with President Chavez following his re-election as leader of the oil-rich South American nation. President Chavez has hailed a “perfect victory”, after defeating Henrique Capriles on Sunday to secure a fourth term in office. Mr. Chavez won 54% of the votes, in a victory acknowledged by  President Ramotar  as being “most decisive”.

Following is the text of President Ramotar’s message to his Venezuelan counterpart:

“Excellency,
 
It gives me great pleasure to convey to you my personal congratulations on your re-election as President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The Government and people of Guyana join me in expressing sincere wishes to you for even greater success in this term of office for which the people of Venezuela have renewed your mandate in a most decisive manner.
I look forward to working with you towards preserving and strengthening the friendship, cooperation and mutual respect which have characterized the relations between our two countries in recent years. Guyana shares Venezuela’s ideals for greater integration amongst the countries of Latin American and the Caribbean which you have strenuously sought to promote and I am happy that we will be able to continue to collaborate at the regional level in pursuit of this goal. 
Please accept, Dear Friend, my best wishes for your continued good health and well-being and for the greater prosperity of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
 
Donald Ramotar
President of the Republic of Guyana”