Teodoro Petkoff Thursday officially launched his candidacy for next December 3rd presidential election.

In a very brief pre-taped message broadcast by a number of local private TV networks, Petkoff, editor of evening daily Tal Cual, said he made the move "to build a Venezuela without fear."

Petkoff Friday noon is scheduled to offer a news conference to provide details on this candidacy.

"Things in Venezuela cannot continue this way. Anguish, divide, fear must be stopped. You cannot live amidst permanent conflict," said the veteran political leader.

"You cannot make any progress and move forward if people are discriminated based on the Tascón List and the Maisanta List (two rolls comprising the names of the people who signed to request recall votes against Hugo Chávez and pro-government lawmakers.) Why should anyone have the right to deny others work and food based on political reasons? Despite the huge amounts of money the Government is spending, it is not creating jobs, and today no one is safe neither at home nor in the streets."

Unofficial sources said Petkoff's candidacy is supported by most leaders of socialist Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS), a party Petkoff, among others, founded. But officially, MAS has not endorsed Petkoff's candidacy.