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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has won a fourth term in office, after opposition leader Henrique Capriles admitted defeat.
Mr Chavez won 54% of the vote, the country's electoral council announced, with turnout at about 81%.
Noisy celebrations among Chavez supporters erupted across the capital, Caracas, following the result.
Mr Chavez said Venezuela would continue its march towards socialism but also vowed he would be a "better president".
Electoral council president Tibisay Lucena announced that with 90% of votes counted Mr Chavez had taken 54.42% of the vote with Mr Capriles on 44.97%.
'Victory was perfect'
"The revolution has triumphed," President Chavez told a cheering crowd from the balcony of the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas.
Venezuelan president
"Viva Venezuela! Viva the fatherland! The battle was perfect and the victory was perfect," he said.
However, Mr Chavez also sounded a conciliatory note, saying he wanted to "include everybody", adding: "I commit to being a better president than I've been these past few years."
A subdued Mr Capriles congratulated Mr Chavez but told opposition supporters not to feel defeated.
"I want to congratulate the candidate, the president of the republic," he said at his campaign headquarters.
He added: "We have planted many seeds across Venezuela and I know that these seeds are going to produce many trees."
Jubilant Chavez supporters held impromptu street parties in central Caracas, blaring horns and waving flags.
Henrique Capriles, admitting defeat, urged his supporters not to feel downhearted
"I'm celebrating with a big heart - Chavez is the hope of the people and of Latin America," said Chavez supporter Mary Reina.
Construction worker Edgar Gonzalez said: "I can't describe the relief and happiness I feel right now.
"The revolution will continue, thanks to God and the people of this great country."
At the Capriles' campaign headquarters, some opposition supporters were in tears at the news.
Mr Capriles said he hoped Mr Chavez would recognise that almost half the country disagreed with his policies.
Mr Capriles said: "There's a country that is divided and to be a good president means to work for all Venezuelans, to work for the solution of all Venezuelans' problems."
'Bolivarian revolution'
Mr Chavez, 58, was diagnosed with cancer last year but says he is now fully recovered.
He has been in power since 1999 and said he needed another six-year term to continue his "Bolivarian revolution" towards socialism.
During his time in office Mr Chavez has nationalised key sectors of the country's economy.
Venezuela is a major oil producer and high oil prices have allowed his government to fund healthcare, education programmes and social housing.
In his campaign, Mr Capriles, who headed a coalition of 30 opposition parties, said the president's policies had led to bureaucracy, inefficiency and shortages.
Earlier, Defence Minister Henry Rangel Silva said the armed forces had identified some groups planning to cause public disturbances but said violence was "unlikely".
A week before the election, three opposition activists were killed during a campaign rally, while four people were injured in a shooting during a voting rehearsal in September.
From Saturday evening to Monday evening, the sale of alcohol has been banned and only the security forces are allowed to carry arms.
Analysts say Mr Chavez's victory will also be welcomed by several countries in the region - including Cuba and Nicaragua - that benefit from his Petrocaribe scheme which provides Venezuelan oil at preferential rates.
He also has strong ties to Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, backing Argentina's sovereignty dispute with Britain over the Falkland Islands.
After the election result was announced, President Fernandez tweeted: "Your victory is our victory! And the victory of South America and the Caribbean!"
President Chavez's new six-year term will begin on 10 January.
BBC News - Hugo Chavez re-elected as Venezuelan president
Congrats to President Chavez Your victory is China victory too
Mr Chavez won 54% of the vote, the country's electoral council announced, with turnout at about 81%.
Noisy celebrations among Chavez supporters erupted across the capital, Caracas, following the result.
Mr Chavez said Venezuela would continue its march towards socialism but also vowed he would be a "better president".
Electoral council president Tibisay Lucena announced that with 90% of votes counted Mr Chavez had taken 54.42% of the vote with Mr Capriles on 44.97%.
'Victory was perfect'
"The revolution has triumphed," President Chavez told a cheering crowd from the balcony of the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas.
Venezuelan president
"Viva Venezuela! Viva the fatherland! The battle was perfect and the victory was perfect," he said.
However, Mr Chavez also sounded a conciliatory note, saying he wanted to "include everybody", adding: "I commit to being a better president than I've been these past few years."
A subdued Mr Capriles congratulated Mr Chavez but told opposition supporters not to feel defeated.
"I want to congratulate the candidate, the president of the republic," he said at his campaign headquarters.
He added: "We have planted many seeds across Venezuela and I know that these seeds are going to produce many trees."
Jubilant Chavez supporters held impromptu street parties in central Caracas, blaring horns and waving flags.
Henrique Capriles, admitting defeat, urged his supporters not to feel downhearted
"I'm celebrating with a big heart - Chavez is the hope of the people and of Latin America," said Chavez supporter Mary Reina.
Construction worker Edgar Gonzalez said: "I can't describe the relief and happiness I feel right now.
"The revolution will continue, thanks to God and the people of this great country."
At the Capriles' campaign headquarters, some opposition supporters were in tears at the news.
Mr Capriles said he hoped Mr Chavez would recognise that almost half the country disagreed with his policies.
Mr Capriles said: "There's a country that is divided and to be a good president means to work for all Venezuelans, to work for the solution of all Venezuelans' problems."
'Bolivarian revolution'
Mr Chavez, 58, was diagnosed with cancer last year but says he is now fully recovered.
He has been in power since 1999 and said he needed another six-year term to continue his "Bolivarian revolution" towards socialism.
During his time in office Mr Chavez has nationalised key sectors of the country's economy.
Venezuela is a major oil producer and high oil prices have allowed his government to fund healthcare, education programmes and social housing.
In his campaign, Mr Capriles, who headed a coalition of 30 opposition parties, said the president's policies had led to bureaucracy, inefficiency and shortages.
Earlier, Defence Minister Henry Rangel Silva said the armed forces had identified some groups planning to cause public disturbances but said violence was "unlikely".
A week before the election, three opposition activists were killed during a campaign rally, while four people were injured in a shooting during a voting rehearsal in September.
From Saturday evening to Monday evening, the sale of alcohol has been banned and only the security forces are allowed to carry arms.
Analysts say Mr Chavez's victory will also be welcomed by several countries in the region - including Cuba and Nicaragua - that benefit from his Petrocaribe scheme which provides Venezuelan oil at preferential rates.
He also has strong ties to Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, backing Argentina's sovereignty dispute with Britain over the Falkland Islands.
After the election result was announced, President Fernandez tweeted: "Your victory is our victory! And the victory of South America and the Caribbean!"
President Chavez's new six-year term will begin on 10 January.
BBC News - Hugo Chavez re-elected as Venezuelan president
Congrats to President Chavez Your victory is China victory too
