Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez greets supporters after receiving news of his re-election in Caracas on Sunday, October 7. With 90% of the ballots counted, Chavez, who has been president since 1999, defeated Henrique Capriles Radonski with 54.42% of the votes, according to an National Electoral Council official. Photos: Venezuela's presidential vote
Caracas, Venezuela (CNN) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez sharply criticized his political opponents Tuesday and vowed to continue pushing his socialist programs in the oil-rich South American country.
"The opposition has a catastrophic vision for the country," Chavez told reporters. "They deny everything the government achieves."
The comments came a day after Chavez reached out to opposition candidate Henrique Capriles in what he had described in a Twitter post as a "pleasant phone conversation."
"I invite National Unity, respecting our differences!" Chavez wrote.
Hugo Chavez embraces a Venezuelan flag after winning re-election Sunday, October 7. Chavez, who has been Venezuela's president since 1999, defeated Henrique Capriles Radonski. See more of CNN's best photography.
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Capriles also described the conversation in a Twitter post, saying, "I received a call from President Chavez. In the name of 6.5 million Venezuelans, I called for the unity of the country and respect for everyone."
The Venezuelan president, who won Sunday's election with 55% of the votes to Capriles' 44%, described his victory as the "perfect battle."
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But Capriles' supporters have said the more than 6 million votes the opposition candidate won is a significant showing at the polls. Analysts have said a key question is whether the opposition will lose momentum or gain strength after Sunday's defeat.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Capriles called on supporters of the opposition coalition that backed him to redouble their efforts.
"This path that we began building together, this path continues," he said. "Not against anyone, but in favor of a better future."
Capriles said he was still weighing whether or not to run in the upcoming election for governor in Miranda state, where he served as governor before resigning earlier this year to run for president.
The 40-year-old opposition candidate said he did not believe there had been fraud in the election. But he said the "machinery" of Chavez's government created obstacles for his candidacy.
"I faced more resources, all the infrastructure of the state, all the campaign of discrediting," he said. "It was brutal what we had to face Sunday."
But Chavez told reporters that his campaign had overcome obstacles to win, saying that his opponents had used "infinite resources" and international influence in their push for the presidency.
He said Tuesday that he plans to continue building on the policies he had implemented during his previous 13 years in office.
Asked whether his government still supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Chavez said, "We will continue supporting the only government that Syria has. We advocate for peace in Syria and the whole world."
Chavez, who has been president since 1999, said his government would hash out a more detailed plan "with goals, strategies and resources" for his next six-year term.
"In contrast with the opposition candidate, we did not hide anything. What is our proposal? Socialism. ... The country knows who we are and where we're going," he said.
CNN's Paula Newton contributed to this report.
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Chavez supporters celebrate after receiving news of his victory Sunday night in Caracas.
Chavez backers cheer Sunday night as provisional returns show the president won a new six-year term.
The Venezuelan leader addresses supporters Sunday night in Caracas. Fireworks peppered the sky over the capital soon after the provisional results were announced.
Opposition candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski waves to supporters Sunday night in Caracas after learning of his defeat. During the campaign, he criticized the Chavez administration for inefficiencies, infrastructure shortcomings and corruption.
Chavez greets a crowd before voting Sunday. The 58-year-old leader has been weakened by two surgeries for cancer, keeping secret the type of cancer and his prognosis. 
Venezuelans line up Sunday to cast their votes at a polling station in Caracas.
People wait to vote Sunday at a polling station in Caracas.
A man has his finger ink-stained after voting Sunday in Venezuela's capital.
Opposition candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski shows his finger after voting Sunday in Caracas. With 90% of the ballots counted Sunday night, Chavez won 54.42% of the vote, compared with 44.97% for Capriles, according a National Electoral Council official.
Chavez supporters hold photos of Simon Bolivar, who led Venezuela's fight for independence from Spain in the 1820s, during Chavez's campaign wrap-up rally in Caracas on Thursday, October 4.
Chavez delivers a speeech in the rain during his on Thursday. Venezuelans head to the polls on Sunday, October 7.
Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski, center, waves to supporters during a campaign rally on Thursday in San Fernando de Apure.
Capriles greets supporters during a Thursday's campaign rally in San Carlos.
Chavez holds a campaign rally in Valencia on Wednesday.
Capriles delivers a speech during a campaign rally Wednesday in Maracaibo.
A supporter of the opposition candidate, Capriles, screams during a campaign rally in Maracaibo.
Chavez waves to supporters during a campaign rally in Barquisimeto on Tuesday, October 2.
Capriles wears a native decoration from a shaman during a campaign rally in Puerto Ayacucho on Monday, October 1. Chavez's opponents are confident that on Sunday, Capriles will unseat the long-ruling leftist leader, a refrain previously heard before eventual defeats.
Chavez greets supporters during a campaign rally in Sabaneta on Monday. He dismissed his much younger challenger as a "fly" not worth chasing when challenged to a debate this year.
Capriles arrives for a campaign rally in Puerto Ayacucho on Monday.
"Venezuelans are looking for a new way," Capriles told his supporters. "It's been 14 years of the same government. This government has already completed its cycle and has nothing more to offer. They're only recycling promises."
Supporters of Venezuela's current president cheer during a campaign rally in Barquisimeto on Tuesday.
Presumably because of his health, Chavez has not held as many rallies or traveled as often as he has in previous campaigns. His re-election effort has been mostly through presidential addresses that state-run television stations are mandated to carry.
Capriles supporters attend a campaign rally in Puerto Ayacucho on Monday.
Capriles greets supporters during a campaign rally in Puerto Ayacucho on Monday.
Chavez supporters attend a campaign rally in Boconoito on Monday.
Chavez waves to supporters on Tuesday.
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