Venezuelan president begins visit to 4 South American nations
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who was declared winner of Sunday's election, arrived in Brasilia, capital of Brazil on Wednesday, kicking off a four-nation tour of South American countries.

Speaking to media in Caracas before the visit, Chavez said he will travel to Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Bolivia to show the internationalist character of his government.

The trip aims to strengthen the Caracas-Brasilia-Buenos Aires axis, he said, adding it will also consolidate Venezuela as a member of the Common Market of the South (Mercosur).

Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela signed an agreement on July 4, giving Venezuela full membership of Mercosur.

In Brazil, the Venezuelan leader will talk with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on a proposed 9,000 km natural gas pipeline that would link Venezuela's vast gas reserves to Brazil, Argentina and other countries.

He will then fly to Argentina to discuss Venezuela's full incorporation to Mercosur before heading to Bolivia for a summit of South American leaders, including newly elected Ecuador leftist Rafael Correa.

Chavez said at the Brasilia airport that Nicaraguan President-elect Daniel Ortega was staying in Caracas. Early reports had suggested Ortega would fly to Brazil with Chavez.

On Tuesday, Chavez met in Caracas with Ortega, who lauded Chavez's reelection triumph as "a victory for the Venezuelan people and the Latin American people."