Caracas  - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Friday called upon his followers "not to get overexcited" with incoming US President Barack Obama.

"Today is particularly significant at the international level because a new president takes over the United States presidency today. Let no one get overexcited, this is the North American empire," Chavez said.

The left-wing populist Chavez, who has had strong clashes with outgoing US President George W Bush in recent years, often refers to the United States as empire.

Speaking to followers in the eastern state of Anzoategui, the Venezuelan expressed his satisfaction over Bush's exit.

"We are glad that this president who filled the world with terror and violence is leaving government. Goodbye, Mr. Bush," he said.

"(Bush) is the most repudiated president in his own country and around the world," Chavez added.

"Let us hope that the arrival of a new president means a change for the freedom of the peoples," he said. (dpa)