Thousands of people turned out for a rally Sunday in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas to show their support for opposition candidate Henrique Capriles.

The 40-year old state governor is running against Hugo Chavez for the presidency on a platform of economic reform and ending crime and government corruption.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) OPPOSITION CANDIDATE, HENRIQUE CAPRILES, SAYING:

"I want to tell all of you: true independence is to have safety, is to have shelter, is to have employment, is to have light, is to have water, is to walk calmly down the streets of Venezuela."

Meanwhile, Chavez is sticking to tried and tested issues of social welfare.

Chavez has tried to paint his opponent as an uncaring capitalist and has vowed to deepen socialism if re-elected.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) HUGO CHAVEZ, VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT AT CAMPAIGN RALLY FOR RE-ELECTION, SAYING:

"Here, we're just announcing what will happen on October 7 in Zulia: Chavez will triumph on October 7. In Venezuela, Chavez will triumph on October 7."

Voters head to the polls next Sunday.