Chávez earns fourth term as Venezuelan president (Creative Commons)

Chávez, who has been in power since 1999, will serve another six years as president of the country. 

Chávez supporters began to celebrate the socialist leader's victory moments ago, setting off fireworks and partying in the streets of the nation's capital, Caracas.

In the tightly-contested race, Chávez won 54 percent of the nation's vote, according to BBC News. 

A large number of expatriate voters turned in their ballots from across the globe. Nearly 800 individuals voted per hour in New Orleans, one source said; 8,000 were expected to ultimately vote from the city.   

More to come from Neon Tommy on the implications of Chávez's victory for Latin America and the Untied States. 

Reach reporter Greg Asciutto here.