Bolivarian Republic of
Venezuela
Background
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President: Hugo Chavez (since Dec.1998)
Population: 24.3 million
Capital: Caracas
Currency: Bolívar
Area: 912,050 sq. km. (slightly more than twice the size
of California).
• Other major cities--Maracaibo, Valencia, Barquisimeto.
• Terrain: Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in
northwest; central plains; Guiana Highlands in southeast.
• Climate: Varies from tropical to temperate, depending
on elevation
Natural Resources
• Venezuela has one of the
largest known oil deposits in the
world as well as huge quantities
of coal, iron ore, bauxite and
gold, nickel and diamonds.
• Venezuela is a major supplier to
the U.S. and the Caribbean.
• Venezuela utilizes vast
hydropower resources to supply
power to the nation’s industries
Environment
• Venezuela’s Environmental problems:
– A high rate of deforestation relative to its
South American neighbors.
– Fossil fuel production and consumption
without sufficient mitigation.
– Oil pollution in water supplies.
• More than 30 oil spills have occurred in past years
• The occurrence of spills has declined, the waters
remain contaminated.
– Air pollution in urban and industrial areas.
Historical Overview
• Pre-Colombian inhabitants of Venezuela:
– The Carib, the Arawaka, and the Chibcha.
• Named by explorer Alonso de Ojeda.
– “Little Venice”
• Spanish colony 1521-1821.
• Declares independence from Spain in 1810.
• 1821 official liberation – Simon Bolivar and his
campaigners.
Political Institutions
• Constitution
– Chavez elected in 1998 calls for a referendum
to convene the Constituent Assembly to write
a new constitution.
– Single member district based formation of CA
gave majority control to Chavez political
coalition Polo Patriótico (PP)
– Ratified December 1999
– Chavez re-elected president in 2000 special
election.
Legislative Branch
• Constituent Assembly replaced with a National
Assembly
– Unicameral
– First-past-the-post single member districts and party
list combination (proportional representation).
– Five year term, possibility of two re-elections (15 year
maximum).
– Legislation can be initiated by legislature, president,
judiciary, citizen branch, public petition signed by .1%
of the registered voters.
Executive Branch
• President (single executive)
– 6 year term, limited to two terms.
– Plurality vote (direct, universal suffrage).
– Vice President appointed by President
• Council of Ministers
– Cabinet appointed by the president.
– Size determined by president.
– Advice of National Assembly.
Judiciary
• Supreme Tribunal of Justice
– 6 specialized chambers, also meets as
plenary
– Appointed by National Assembly and serve 12
year terms.
– 1999 constitution set number at 20. This was
amended to 32 in 12/2004 amendment ratified
by the National Assembly.
– Lower courts: district courts, municipal courts,
courts of first instance.
Citizens Branch
• Three Components:
– The attorney general
– Ombudsman
• Public officials appointed to investigate citizen complains
against government agencies or officials.
– Comptroller general
• The Republican Moral Council
– Has the power to challenge to the courts actions
which they believe are illegal or violate the
constitution.
– Selected for 7 year terms by the National Assembly.
Chavez post 1998
• After several assassination and coup d’etat
attempts, Chavez began to introduce many
government reforms.
• In 2001, Chavez introduced more than 50 reform
laws including land and oil industry reforms.
– Land redistribution
– Nationalization of hydrocarbons
– The Revolution will not be Televised
• All of these reforms were controversial and
sparked new anti-Chavez movements.
Nationalization of Industry
• Pros and Cons:
– MNCs have not given “good deals” in
contracts with resource rich countries.
– Ex: Oil industry quarterly profits vs
indebtedness of resource rich countries
– Countries with political development problems
are not able to regulate foreign or domestic
industry = ongoing pollution and an absence
of mitigation strategies
Nationalization of Industry
• Pros and Cons:
– Nationalization requires effective
management.
– Ex: Chilean mining industry nationalized by
Salvador Allende and NOT privatized by
Augusto Pinochet. Today it is as competitive
and productive as any private concern.
– Nationalization does mean that the state
directly controls profits.