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→Constitutional referendum 2007
=== Constitutional referendum 2007 ===
=== Constitutional referendum 2007 ===
On August 15, President Chávez proposed a package of 33 articles to reform the 1999 Constitution. On 11 September the National Assembly enlarged the amount of amendments with other 36 articles, increasing in 69 the number of articles to be voted in the referendum. Finally the National Assembly passed the reform on 2 November.
On August 15, President Chávez proposed a package of 33 articles to reform the 1999 Constitution. On 11 September the National Assembly enlarged a number of amendments with other 36 articles, increasing in 69 the number of articles to be voted in the referendum. Finally, the National Assembly passed the reform on 2 November.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7076076.stm Venezuela assembly passes reforms], ''BBC News'', November 2, 2007. Retrieved on December 13, 2007.</ref>
.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7076076.stm Venezuela assembly passes reforms], ''BBC News'', November 2, 2007. Retrieved on December 13, 2007.</ref>
The proposals were divided into two blocks: block "A" and block "B". Some of the amendments are:
The proposals were divided into two blocks: block "A" and block "B". Some of the amendments are:
* Indefinite presidential re-election.
* Indefinite presidential re-election.
* The presidential term will be increased from six to seven years.
* The presidential term will be increased from six to seven years.
* Five types of property are proposed: public, social, collective, mixed, and private property. The Venezuelan State is to govern four of these new five types of property, as it intends to play a role as owner, partner, and financier.
* Five types of property are proposed: public, social, collective, mixed, and private property. The Venezuelan State is to govern four of these new five types of property, as it intends to play a role as owner, partner, and financier.<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2007/10/01/en_eco_art_venezuelan-state-to_01A1086237.shtml Venezuelan state to govern four types of property], ''El Universal'', October 1, 2007. Retrieved on December 13, 2007.</ref>
.<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2007/10/01/en_eco_art_venezuelan-state-to_01A1086237.shtml Venezuelan state to govern four types of property], ''El Universal'', October 1, 2007. Retrieved on December 13, 2007.</ref>
* Creation of federal territories ruled by vice presidents. The heads of federal territories will be appointed by the President of Venezuela.
* Creation of federal territories ruled by vice presidents. The heads of federal territories will be appointed by the President of Venezuela.
* Autonomy of the central bank will be concluded.
* Autonomy of the central bank will be concluded.
* The international reserves will be managed by the president.
* The international reserves will be managed by the president.
* Reduction of maximum working week from 44 to 36 hours.
* Reduction of the maximum working week from 44 to 36 hours.
* Reduction of voting age from 18 to 16 years.
* Reduction of voting age from 18 to 16 years.
* Benefits of social security will be expanded to workers of informal economy.
* Benefits of social security will be expanded to workers of the informal economy.
The constitutional reform was rejected by the opposition to considered it as an attempt of President Chávez to rule the country indefinitely and to create a socialist economy. Marches against the reform were done in many parts of Venezuela. A major role in the protests was played by university students.
The constitutional reform was rejected by the opposition to considered it as an attempt of President Chávez to rule the country indefinitely and to create a socialist economy. Marches against the reform were done in many parts of Venezuela. A major role in the protests was played by university students.<ref>[http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=10136480 Challenging Chávez-for-life, A new kind of opposition], ''The Economist'', November 15, 2007. Retrieved on December 13, 2007.</ref> Some supporters of Mr. Chávez such as the allied party ''PODEMOS'', ''Raúl Baduel'' (his ex- Defense Minister) and ''Marisabel Rodríguez'' (his ex-wife) rejected the reform and called the electors to vote against the reform.<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2007/11/05/en_refco_art_former-defense-minis_05A1174277.shtml Former Defense Minister rejects constitutional reform], ''El Universal'', November 5, 2007. Retrieved on December 13, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article2983752.ece Ex-wife damns Hugo Chavez ‘coup’], ''The Sunday Times'', December 2, 2007. Retrieved on December 13, 2007.</ref>
.<ref>[http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=10136480 Challenging Chávez-for-life, A new kind of opposition], ''The Economist'', November 15, 2007. Retrieved on December 13, 2007.</ref> Some supporters of Mr. Chávez such as the allied party ''PODEMOS'', ''Raúl Baduel'' (his ex- Defense Minister) and ''Marisabel Rodríguez'' (his ex-wife) rejected the reform and called the electors to vote against the reform.
.<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2007/11/05/en_refco_art_former-defense-minis_05A1174277.shtml Former Defense Minister rejects constitutional reform], ''El Universal'', November 5, 2007. Retrieved on December 13, 2007.</ref>
On 2 December 50% of electors voted against the constitutional reform while 49% of electors voted in favor.<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2007/12/03/en_refco_art_venezuelans-said-no_03A1240957.shtml Venezuelans said “no” to Chávez’s planned reform], ''El Universal'', December 3, 2007. Retrieved on December 13, 2007.</ref> The reform was rejected in seven important Venezuelan states, based on the number of voters, namely Zulia, Miranda, Carabobo, Lara, Anzoátegui, and the Capital District (Caracas).
On 2 December 50% of electors voted against the constitutional reform while 49% of electors voted in favor.<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2007/12/03/en_refco_art_venezuelans-said-no_03A1240957.shtml Venezuelans said “no” to Chávez’s planned reform], ''El Universal'', December 3, 2007. Retrieved on December 13, 2007.</ref> The reform was rejected in seven important Venezuelan states, based on the number of voters, namely Zulia, Miranda, Carabobo, Lara, Anzoátegui, and the Capital District (Caracas).<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2007/12/04/en_refco_art_states-of-zulia,-mir_04A1243797.shtml States of Zulia, Miranda and Táchira played a decisive role], ''El Universal'', December 4, 2007. Retrieved on December 13, 2007.</ref> It is the first time since Chávez won power in 1998 that the current government lost at the polls.
.<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2007/12/04/en_refco_art_states-of-zulia,-mir_04A1243797.shtml States of Zulia, Miranda and Táchira played a decisive role], ''El Universal'', December 4, 2007. Retrieved on December 13, 2007.</ref> It is the first time since Chávez won power in 1998 that the current government lost at the polls.
Abstention, which was more than 44%, is considered an important factor of the government defeat. It is thought many supporters of Chávez refrained from voting, because they were not in agreement with the reform.
Abstention, which was more than 44%, is considered an important factor of the government defeat. It is thought many supporters of Chávez refrained from voting because they were not in agreement with the reform.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1690507,00.html?imw=Y Why Venezuelans Turned on Chavez], By Gould, Jens Erik, ''Time'', December 3, 2007. Retrieved on December 13, 2007.</ref>
.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1690507,00.html?imw=Y Why Venezuelans Turned on Chavez], By Gould, Jens Erik, ''Time'', December 3, 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.
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>
.<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>
===Decent into chaos, instability, and a military state===
===Decent into chaos, instability, and a military state===