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→Constitutional referendum 2007
President Chávez recognized the results, but he announced to the nation that another referendum to modify the constitution will be proposed again in the future. The previous statement was said by the Venezuelan president again on December 5.<ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/12/05/en_refco_art_chavez-announces-sec_05A1247117.shtml Chávez launches second offensive to pass reform to the Constitution], ''El Universal'', December 6, 2007. Retrieved on December 13, 2007.</ref> The National Assembly decided to join the presidential efforts to keep the proposal alive.<ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/12/05/en_refco_art_parliament-insists-o_05A1245643.shtml Parliament insists on advancing Chávez’s defeated reform], ''El Universal'', December 5, 2007. Retrieved on December 13, 2007.</ref>
President Chávez recognized the results, but he announced to the nation that another referendum to modify the constitution will be proposed again in the future. The previous statement was said by the Venezuelan president again on December 5.<ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/12/05/en_refco_art_chavez-announces-sec_05A1247117.shtml Chávez launches second offensive to pass reform to the Constitution], ''El Universal'', December 6, 2007. Retrieved on December 13, 2007.</ref> The National Assembly decided to join the presidential efforts to keep the proposal alive.<ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/12/05/en_refco_art_parliament-insists-o_05A1245643.shtml Parliament insists on advancing Chávez’s defeated reform], ''El Universal'', December 5, 2007. Retrieved on December 13, 2007.</ref>
===Foreign Relations===
[[File:Chavez ahmad.jpg|thumb|290px|right|Chavez and [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad|Ahmadineyad]].]]
President Chávez promoted his "Bolivarian Revolution" as a model for other countries to follow. The policy calls for the establishment of a "[[multi-polar]]" world devoid of U.S. influence and for greater integration among developing countries. Venezuela is currently advocating regional integration through its PetroCaribe and PetroSur petroleum initiatives, the creation of a South American Community of Nations, and the establishment of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (a social integration project proposed by President Chavez as an alternative to the Free Trade Area of the Americas). In April 2006, President Chávez announced he was withdrawing Venezuela from the Andean Community trade bloc. In July 2006, Venezuela officially joined the Southern Common Market, MERCOSUR. Before it can become a full member of MERCOSUR, Venezuela must conform to the trade bloc's economic regulations. Congressional approval by Brazil and Paraguay is also still outstanding. The Venezuelan Government maintains very close relations with Cuba and advocates an end to Cuba's isolation.
Since 2005, President Chávez deepened relations with [[Iran]], a state sponsor of terrorism, by signing multiple economic and social accords and publicly supporting Iran's controversial [[nuclear]] program. President Chávez also reached out to the anti-American and anti-West regimes of [[North Korea]], [[Belarus]] and [[Syria]]. The Venezuelans have also embarked on a worldwide effort to increase their presence in embassies overseas in [[Africa]] and [[Asia]].
President Chávez also launched a major renovation of the Venezuelan Armed Forces by purchasing new advanced weaponry. In 2005-06, Venezuela purchased 100,000 AK-103 rifles from [[Russia]] and signed an agreement to construct a rifle and ammunition complex. Venezuela has also purchased dozens of Russian attack and transport helicopters, and began receiving 24 Russian Sukhoi Su-30MK 2-seat fighters. Venezuela has longstanding border disputes with [[Colombia]]-aggravated most recently by the capture of a Colombian insurgent leader inside Venezuela—and Guyana, but seeks in general to resolve them [[peace]]fully. Bilateral commissions have been established by Venezuela and Colombia to address a range of pending issues, including resolution of the maritime boundary in the Gulf of Venezuela. Relations with Guyana are complicated by Venezuela's claim to roughly three-quarters of Guyana's territory. Since 1987, the two countries have held exchanges on the boundary under the "good offices" of the United Nations.
====Relations with the United States====
[[File:Hugo Chávez on USS Yorktown 2002.jpg|thumb|Hugo Chávez on USS Yorktown, 2002.]]
U.S.-Venezuelan relations have been tense in recent years. President Hugo Chávez continuously defined himself in opposition to the United States, using inflammatory rhetoric to insult [[President George W. Bush]] and senior administration officials. For example, in his September 2006 speech to the [[UN General Assembly]], President Chávez called President Bush "the Devil" and other offensive names. The [[United States]] continued to seek constructive engagement with the Venezuelan Government, focusing on areas of technical cooperation. Major U.S. interests in Venezuela include promotion of U.S. [[export]]s and protection of U.S. investment, preservation of Venezuela's government, closer counter-[[narcotic]]s cooperation, more vigorous efforts on counterterrorism, and continued access to [[petroleum]] imports from Venezuala.
U.S.-Venezuelan commercial ties are deep. As of 2006 the United States was Venezuela's most important trading partner, representing about a third of imports and approximately 60 percent of Venezuelan exports. In turn, Venezuela is the United States' third-largest export market in Latin America, purchasing U.S. machinery, transportation equipment, agricultural commodities, and auto parts. Venezuela's opening of its petroleum sector to foreign investment in 1996 created extensive trade and investment opportunities for U.S. companies. As a result, Venezuela became one of the top four suppliers of foreign [[oil]] to the United States. The [[US Department of State]] is committed to promoting the interests of U.S. companies in overseas markets.
Venezuela is a minor source country for [[opium]] poppy and coca but a major transit country for [[cocaine]] and [[heroin]]. [[Money laundering]] and [[judicial]] [[corruption]] are major concerns. In 2004 and early 2005, counternarcotics cooperation between the U.S. and Venezuela deteriorated significantly. In March 2005, the Venezuelan National Guard removed its highly experienced members from the U.S.-supported Prosecutor's Drug Task Force. In August 2005, the Government of Venezuela accused the U.S. [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] (DEA) of [[espionage]] and terminated cooperation with the DEA pending negotiation of a new cooperation agreement, which was unsigned as of October 2006. President George W. Bush decertified Venezuela on counternarcotics cooperation in 2005, 2006, and 2007.
In June 2006, Venezuela was listed at Tier 3 status in the State Department's Report on Trafficking in Persons. Tier 3 status indicates a perceived lack of effort to combat human trafficking.
In May 2006, [[Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice]] certified that Venezuela was not fully cooperating with U.S. counter-terrorism efforts. As of October 1, 2006, the [[United States Government]] prohibited arms sales and services to Venezuela.
Approximately 23,000 U.S. citizens living in Venezuela have registered with the U.S. embassy, an estimated three-quarters of them residing in the [[Caracas]] area. An estimated 12,000 U.S. tourists visit Venezuela annually. About 500 U.S. companies are represented in the country.
===Decent into chaos, instability, and a military state===
===Decent into chaos, instability, and a military state===