Venezuela's ruling party sweeps local elections

The ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) swept Sunday's local elections, winning 20 of the 23 governorships in contest, the National Electoral Council said. The PSUV took over several traditional opposition bulwarks, including the states of Zulia, Carabobo, Tachira and Nueva Esparta, while the opposition only won Amazonas, Lara and Miranda, where former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles was re-elected as governor. The results were a boon to President and PSUV Leader Hugo Chavez, who is recovering from a fourth round of surgery due to the pelvic cancer. Election council president Tibisay Lucena told reporters that the PSUV gained more political capital by the victory, which would improve coordination between the national and local governments in social programs.