World closely watches Sunday’s presidential election in Venezuela

WASHINGTON — As Venezuelans prepare to cast their ballots Sunday in the presidential election, officials at the U.S. State Department said they will be closely following the activities of July 28 — a day they described as “a historic moment for Venezuela as the nation has endured significant political and economic turmoil over the past two decades.” The ballot this year also serves as a referendum on “socialism for the 21st century," the ideological view that has ruled the country since Hugo Chavez came to power in 1999...