He has been mayor of Baruta (a suburb of Caracas) and then governor of Miranda State.

BBC: Q&A: Venezuela's presidential election

Mr Capriles, who has recently been elected governor of Miranda state, said he would do anything to avoid a confrontation.

BBC: Opponents seek Chavez court ruling

Current Vice-President Elias Jaua is set to run against Mr Capriles in elections for governor of the populous Miranda state, in December.

BBC: Hugo Chavez names Nicolas Maduro as his vice-president

Chavez was last re-elected on Oct. 7, and his challenger, youthful Miranda state Gov. Henrique Capriles, is expected to again be the opposition's candidate.

NPR: Venezuela: Chavez Hit By New, Severe Infection

Ramon Guillermo Aveledo, coordinator of the opposition coalition, immediately followed the election announcement by offering his bloc's presidential candidacy to Henrique Capriles, the governor of Miranda state who lost to Chavez in October.

NPR: Venezuela Sets Presidential Election For April 14

Capriles is the former governor of Miranda state.

CNN: Venezuelan opposition candidate demands recount

Mr Capriles, 40, is a lawyer by training and governor of the state of Miranda.

BBC: Venezuela opposition leader Capriles to stand in election

Mr Capriles - a lawyer by training - is governor of the state of Miranda.

BBC: Venezuela announces post-Chavez election date

He also governed the state of Miranda from 2004 until 2008, when he was defeated by opposition candidate Henrique Capriles.

BBC: Diosdado Cabello on 12 December 2012

Capriles spoke at his own inauguration, as governor of the state of Miranda, a post he was elected to following his presidential defeat.

CNN: Venezuelan army backs Chavez amid uncertainty