Caracas  - Voting in Venezuelan regional elections, viewed by many as a key test of support for President Hugo Chavez and his policies, started early Sunday.

Long lines had already begun to form before 6 am (1030 GMT) at voting stations in Caracas and other cities in this South American country. About 17 million people are eligible to vote for 22 governors and more than 300 mayors.

Chavez, who has pushed a left-wing populist agenda since taking power in 1999, has campaigned heavily for his preferred candidates in this race, after losing a referendum to amend the country's constitution in December 2007.

One of the amendments would have removed term limits for the president of Venezuela.

Caracas - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez removed the Venezuelan consul in the US city of Houston, after the diplomat moved the consulate offices without authorization.

Chavez admitted late Monday that what happened was a "mistake," although he denied that Venezuelan diplomatic officials had been expelled by the United States.

Caracas - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Wednesday said that the global financial crisis has gone beyond the economy to become "a real threat for the world," a sort of perfect storm.

"The world crisis is complete, because it is not just economic, it is political, it is ethical, environmental, food-related, energy- related. This crisis is something like the crisis that no one wants, the perfect crisis (in which) all variants joined into one and it is a real threat for the world," Chavez said.

Later Wednesday, he sent a message of "solidarity" to the people of the United States whom he called "brothers."

Moscow - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez met with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on a two-day Russian tour Friday as the countries expand military ties and close ranks in opposition to the United States.

Going into talks with Medvedev, Chavez reiterated his "full and firm" support for Russia in its war with Georgia last month, which the US roundly condemned.

Medvedev and Chavez were meeting in the southern Russian city of Orenburg, near the border with Kazakhstan, where the Russian president is touring the regions.

Moscow- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is due to land in Russia on Thursday for a two-day visit as the two countries extend military ties and close rank in opposition to the United States.

Chavez travels to Moscow from China, and will meet with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at his country residence at 8 pm (1700 GMT), Putin's press office said.

On Friday the Venezuelan leader is set to fly to the southern Russian city of Orenburg, near the border with Kazakhstan, for talks with President Dmitry Medvedev, who is on a tour of the regions.

Beijing - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez held talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao on Wednesday before the two sides signed an oil cooperation deal and several economic agreements.

The Chinese government gave no immediate details of the oil agreement but it said other documents covered economic cooperation, education and justice.

The Venezuelan government said more than 20 agreements would be signed during Chavez's three-day visit to China, which began on Tuesday.