Protests in Venezuela following Chavez victory Several hundred Venezuelen students too to the streets of Caracas to protest at the re-election of President Hugo Chavez. They are demanding a manual re-count of the ballots despite opposition candidate Henrique Capriles accepting defeat in Sunday's election. Alejandra Gonzalez, a student from the city said she was out protesting because she wants "to live in a democracy." The current leader, who is recovering from cancer, has been a towering figure in Latin American politics since coming to power in 1999, however his support has begun to drop with a much slimmer margin of victory than in the last elections in 2006. Back then he won by 27% compared to the 10% difference this time around. Frustration has grown in the country because of a major problem with crime and blackouts. More about: Election results, Hugo Chavez, Protest, Venezuela