Backgrounder: Basic facts about
Venezuela's referendum on constitutional change
CARACAS, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Hugo
Chavez announced Wednesday he will press on with reforms following a narrow
defeat in the weekend referendum over his constitutional reform.
In a press conference held at Miraflores Palace's
Simon Bolivarhall, Chavez said those opposing constitutional changes should get
ready as "the second reform offensive is on its way."
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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez waves
to the crowd in Caracas, Venezuela, Dec. 2, 2007. Venezuela's National
Electoral Council (CNE) on Sunday announced the closure of the referendum
on controversial constitutional changes proposed by Chavez. (Xinhua
Photo)
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The next round of reform proposals could be identical
to those presented in the Sunday referendum, or with some changes and more
streamlined, he said.
Those who obtained a "pyrrhic victory" in Sunday's
referendum will have to accept their forthcoming defeat in the next popular
referendum on the constitutional reform, he added.
"We are going to win the next referendum, we will see
if they accept our victory. They do not have a chance against us, nor the people
and the soldiers." Chavez said.
Chavez thanked those who supported him in Sunday's
referendum and congratulated the National Guard and the Army for having
everything under control during the referendum.
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A woman casts her vote at a polling
station in Caracas, capital of Venezula, Dec. 2, 2007. Venezuela held a
referendum on Sunday to decide whether to change 69 of the constitution's
350 articles.(Xinhua Photo)
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The president said he will continue to build
socialism, despite the referendum's defeat.
Chavez put forward 69 constitutional reforms to
Sunday's referendum. Around 51 percent voted against the measures and 48.9
percent voted in favor.
Key reforms included extending
the presidential term to seven years from six, allowing indefinite reelection
and removing the Central Bank's autonomy.
Venezuelan president admits defeat in
referendum
CARACAS, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Hugo
Chavez on Monday admitted defeat in a referendum on constitutional changes held
on Sunday.
According to the National Electoral Council, 51
percent of voters voted against the changes with 49 percent in favor. Full story
No problems with Venezuela
constitution referendum
CARACAS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The referendum on Venezuela's
constitutional reform is progressing without problems in all the nation's 11,132
polling stations, Sandra Oblitas, the president of the National Electoral
Council (CNE), told media on Sunday.
Over 16.1 million voters are registered to take part
in the vote over whether to change 69 provisions of the nation's 350-article
constitution, including provisions allowing indefinite presidential
reelection. Full story
Chavez threatens to stop oil exports
to U.S. if referendum violence occurs
CARACAS, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Hugo
Chavez said on Friday he will stop oil exports to the United States if it tries
to meddle in Sunday's referendum.
"I swear to God and to my mother we are not going to allow
it," Chavez said in his campaign speech to thousands of his followers gathering
at the ample Bolivar avenue in downtown Caracas, to win votes for his
constitutional reform efforts. Full story
