Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez loses his power base in the capital but maintains his lead in rural areas.
The opposition fended off an aggressive Chavez campaign and retained control of the oil-producing state of Zulia, the country's most populous.
Combined with victories in the capital against veteran Chavez aides, the opposition now holds sway over major urban areas that will be pivotal in future elections, although the president's rural power base is still intact.
Benet Allen reports.
