Protests throughout month against President Chávez’s proposed constitutional changes turned violent at times, several injured in clashes with military 2, 7 November in Caracas. Proposed reforms subject of 2 December referendum; polls show Chávez may lose. Former allies including ex-Defence Minister Raúl Baduel claimed proposed changes akin to coup d’état.

National Assembly added 25 further amendments to President Hugo Chávez’s sweeping constitutional changes 16 October, including suspension of due process protections during state of emergencies. Police fired tear gas on thousands of student demonstrators in Caracas 23 October as Congress entered final debate ahead of expected December referendum on changes.

Constitutional changes proposed by President Hugo Chávez in August received second approval in national assembly; due for third approval October, referendum late November. Moves would axe presidential term limits, introduce 6-hour working day, and strengthen executive control including over appointment of regional authorities, central bank and private sector.

President Chávez announced new round of Constitutional changes in 15 August speech to promote “21st century socialism”. Changes approved by parliament include end to presidential term limits and increased government control over central bank and private assets; implementation subject to referendum.

Pro-opposition television station RCTV re-launched as cable broadcaster 16 July after losing its licence in May. President Hugo Chávez warned 22 July government would expel foreigners critical of government. Publication of constitutional reform bill pending; Chávez announced it will abolish limits on presidential re-election.

President Hugo Chávez stood by closure of private channel RCTV as student protests continued. Tension with U.S. increased during OAS summit in Panama after U.S. Sec. State Rice criticised measures to reduce freedom of press and Venezuelan FM Nicolás Maduro denounced U.S. human rights violations in Guantánamo. In visit to Moscow, Chávez announced arms purchase from Russia in “strategic and economic alliance”; also spoke of weapons purchases from Belarus and China. Earlier in month, Chávez warned military to prepare for guerrilla war against U.S. in case of invasion.

Government forced closure of private channel RCTV, consistently critical of President Chávez’s policies, after refusing to renew its licence 27 May, prompting large scale protests. Orinoco Belt oil-production facilities formally nationalised 2 May; Chávez said banking sector to follow.

In 11 April address to armed forces, President Hugo Chávez asked military to adopt socialism “without ambiguities”, removing any pretext of armed forces’ political independence. Chávez threatened to withdraw from OAS over prospect of sanctions after Caracas failed to renew independent RCTV’s broadcast licencse. Chavista program increasingly ideological with businesses ordered to provide 4 hours weekly training in Marxism. Inflation and food shortages remained chronic.

Government seized 16 farms and said planning 13 further seizures in April in intensified land reform campaign. High inflation led President Chávez to announce stringent measures to control prices and phased introduction of new stronger currency by end 2007. Difficulties in unifying all Chavista parties into United Socialist Party of Venezuela underscored divisions in Chávez ranks.

President Hugo Chávez granted power to rule by decree for 18 months in 31 January parliamentary vote. Chávez promised period of “maximum revolution” to establish “21st-century socialism” and reshuffled cabinet. He earlier announced opposition RCTV television network would not have its license renewed in March, prompting concerns about crackdown on dissent.