Tens of thousands of Venezuelans gathered in Caracas for pro-government and opposition rallies before a referendum that could allow Hugo Chavez, the president, to seek re-election indefinitely.

Hundreds of opposition supporters also rallied on Thursday in a square after the government reportedly denied their request to mount another giant march as they did last weekend.

Chavez says he needs to stay in power to oversee the completion of his social reforms but the opposition says the move would undermine democracy.

Venezuelans will vote on the constitutional amendment on Sunday, with recent polls suggesting that Chavez was gaining support for the measure.

Supporters danced to salsa music booming from sound trucks, before Chavez addressed them.

"Others fight and go to great lengths to divide us, in order to weaken us and dominate us," Chavez said.

"We will turn Venezuela into a world power," he said.

Venezuelans are to vote on changing the constitution to end term limits for mayors and governors as well as for Chavez, whose current term expires in 2012.

Chavez lost a constitutional reform referendum that contained a similar proposal in 2007.