With Venezuela's presidential election planned for October, 2012 will be a year of great uncertainty for the country, whose left-wing leader, Hugo Chavez, is again running for office after nearly 13 years in power.

For the first time in a decade, Chavez's approval ratings do not guarantee his victory. Inefficiency, unaccountability, waste, and corruption have helped weaken support for the government.

Nevertheless, and despite the after-effects of his recent cancer treatment, Chavez is still determined to do battle.

Al Jazeera's Lucia Newman reports from Caracas.