President Hugo Chavez, 56, has ruled Venezuela with an increasingly iron fist for 12 years.
Now, he is seeking another 6-year term...with some uncharacteristic honesty.
Chavez said the race "already has begun, and is going to be a tough one and a good one."
"Twelve years on, I ask forgiveness for my mistakes," he said on state television and radio.
"I have read a lot of news stories saying that Chavez has been in power 12 years and is trying to cling to power. But let's keep something in mind: there have been elections here. We have won them, over and over, with complete transparency," Chavez claimed.