Chavez wins

Candidates supporting Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez have won 17 of 22 state governorships in yesterday’s regional and state elections.



However, the opposition is said to have also made important gains.



They reportedly captured the mayor\'s office in Caracas and also won four states.



The polls were seen as a critical test for Chavez, who lost last year\'s referendum that would have allowed him to seek re-election indefinitely.