Tens of thousands rallied on Sunday in the Venezuelan capital Caracas to support opposition presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, the BBC reported.

Capriles, 40, blamed President Hugo Chavez, 58, for “unfulfilled promises” and demanded justice for three opposition activists killed at a rally in the northwestern state of Barinas on Saturday.

Chavez led a rally also comprising tens of thousands of people in the northwestern Zulia state. The socialist leader said he regretted the deaths and urged the country’s nationals to stay calm.

Chavez said in September he is sure to gain 70 percent of the vote at the October 7 presidential election. He cited statistics - 56 percent of votes cast for him at the 1998 election and 63 percent at the 2006 polls.