Half of Venezuela is cheering today as earlier this morning the election results of Chavez's proposed constitutional amendments were announced, with him losing by a 51%-49% vote. A successful vote would have granted President Hugh Chavez sweeping powers in the government. Currently Chavez and his supporters control nearly all levels of power in the government. There were 69 proposed amendments which would have given Chavez nearly universal power. This is the first major defeat in his nine years of presidency, the New York Times reports. When the results were announced at 1:20 am opposition leaders were ecstatic and fireworks were a common sight. Hundreds of people flocked to Plaza Altamira and were celebrating in the streets of relatively prosperous eastern Caracas.
The success of the opposition is partly because of the joining of previously splintered movements. For this election on the amendments the separated groups worked together with disillusioned Chavez supporters to defeat the referendum. Had it passed the changes would have abolished term limits, increased the state's role in the economy, and allowed Chavez to declare states of emergency for unlimited periods of time. This is a small step in the right direction for a country who's president has forged a single Socialist party among his followers. He has also forced a television network critical of the government off the airwaves and nationalized oil, telephone and electricity companies, all according to the Times.
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