Isabella Carter
Venezuela has had a long history of constitutional reform, with the law being changed 23 times since 1811. The country's latest constitution, drafted in 1999, was approved by popular referendum and inaugurated the Fifth Republic of Venezuela. This new constitution brought about significant changes to the structure of Venezuela's government and ushered in a host of socioeconomic reforms. It also increased presidential terms from five to six years and granted the president the power to dissolve the National Assembly under certain conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of adoption | 1999 |
| Previous constitution | 1961 |
| Number of articles | 350 |
| Voting age | 18 |
| Presidential term | 6 years |
| Maximum presidential terms | 2 |
| Voting rights for foreign nationals | Must be 18 and have resided in Venezuela for more than 10 years |
| Renouncing Venezuelan nationality | Can be regained by establishing residence in the territory of the Republic for at least 2 years |
| Native languages | Have official status for native peoples |
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What You'll Learn
- The 1999 Constitution was the first approved by popular referendum
- The 1999 Constitution is among the world's longest and most complicated
- The 1999 Constitution gave Chavez sweeping decree powers
- The 1999 Constitution abolished the Senate
- The 1999 Constitution extended presidential term limits to six years
The 1999 Constitution was the first approved by popular referendum
In 1999, Venezuela adopted a new constitution, marking a significant moment in the country's political history. This constitution replaced the previous one from 1961 and introduced a range of changes to Venezuela's political and legal landscape. One of the key features of the 1999 Constitution was that it was the first in Venezuela's history to be approved by a popular referendum, giving it a level of legitimacy and popular support that previous constitutions had lacked.
The process of drafting and adopting the 1999 Constitution was driven by then-President Hugo Chávez, who had been elected a year earlier on a platform of promising significant political reform. Chávez argued that Venezuela needed a new constitution to break with the past and create a more equitable and democratic society. To achieve this, he called for a constituent assembly to be elected specifically for the task of drafting a new constitution.
The constituent assembly elections took place in July 1999, and the body began its work in August, with a mandate to draft a new constitution within six months. The assembly, dominated by Chávez's supporters, worked quickly and produced a final document that was put to a referendum in December 1999. The referendum was widely seen as a vote of confidence in Chávez and his political project, and the constitution was approved by an overwhelming majority, with official figures showing a turnout of over 40% and a 'yes' vote of over 70%.
This popular approval set the 1999 Constitution apart from Venezuela's previous constitutions, which had typically been drafted by political elites and adopted without direct input from the Venezuelan people. By contrast, the 1999 Constitution was shaped by a broad national debate and enjoyed widespread support, at least initially. The constitution included a range of provisions that reflected Chávez's vision for Venezuela, including a stronger executive, the possibility of presidential re-election, and a focus on social and economic rights.
The 1999 Constitution has been a source of both praise and controversy in the years since its adoption. Supporters argue that it has helped to empower previously marginalized groups and has led to significant social and economic improvements. Critics, however, have argued that it concentrates too much power in the executive and has contributed to political polarization and instability. Nonetheless, the fact that it was approved by a popular referendum gives it a unique place in Venezuela's constitutional history.
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The 1999 Constitution is among the world's longest and most complicated
Venezuela adopted its latest constitution in 1999. The Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish: Constitución de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela) is the country's twenty-sixth constitution. It was drafted in mid-1999 by a constituent assembly that was created by popular referendum. The 1999 Constitution, with 350 articles, is among the world's longest and most complicated.
The 1999 Constitution was the first in Venezuelan history to be approved by popular referendum. It brought about the so-called "Fifth Republic of Venezuela" due to the socioeconomic changes foretold in its pages. It also changed the country's name from the "Republic of Venezuela" to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The Constitution made significant changes to the structure of Venezuela's government and responsibilities, while a much greater number of human rights were enshrined in the document as guaranteed to all Venezuelans. These rights include free education up to tertiary level, free health care, access to a clean environment, and the right of minorities (especially indigenous peoples) to uphold their own traditional cultures, religions, and languages.
The 1999 Constitution is considered one of the most complicated in the world due to its length and the number of topics it covers. It is a hybrid of jurisprudential and political norms, drawing from sources such as Simón Bolívar's writings on constitutionality and popular sovereignty, José Martí, the Peruvian Marxist José Carlos Mariátegui, and Evgeny Pashukanis. The Constitution retains a strong liberal-democratic base but also introduces elements of direct democracy, such as popular sovereignty (consultative or recall referendums), social responsibilities, and the right to rebel against the violation of the constitutional system.
The 1999 Constitution also introduced provisions for national presidential recall referendums, giving Venezuelan voters the right to remove their president from office before the expiration of the presidential term. The legislative branch was changed from a bicameral system to a unicameral system, and the presidential term of office was increased from five to six years, limited to two terms. The Constitution also granted official status to native languages for native peoples, requiring that they be respected throughout the territory of the Republic as part of the cultural heritage of the Nation and humanity.
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The 1999 Constitution gave Chavez sweeping decree powers
Venezuela adopted its latest constitution in 1999. This constitution was drafted by a constituent assembly that was created by popular referendum. It was approved by the national electorate with a 72% "yes" vote and audited by the National Electoral Council. The 1999 Constitution, also known as the "Bolivarian Constitution" by Chavez and his followers, ushered in the "Fifth Republic of Venezuela" due to the significant socioeconomic changes it introduced.
Chavez's supporters argued that the Constituent Assembly stood above the existing legal order, and he placed his presidency at the mercy of the Assembly, allowing it to re-elect him as president. The Assembly also fired judges for alleged corruption and replaced them with new ones, effectively neutering the existing Venezuelan legislature. Chavez's control over the Constituent Assembly gave him unprecedented power to shape Venezuela's political landscape.
The 1999 Constitution made significant changes to the structure of Venezuela's government and guaranteed a broader range of human rights to all Venezuelans. It introduced provisions for national presidential recall referendums, allowing voters to remove the president from office before the expiration of their term. The Constitution also increased the presidential term from five to six years, limited to two terms.
In addition to political reforms, the 1999 Constitution guaranteed a wide range of human rights, including free education up to the tertiary level, free healthcare, access to a clean environment, and the right of minorities to uphold their traditional cultures, religions, and languages. It also granted Venezuela's international rights obligations precedence over domestic law.
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The 1999 Constitution abolished the Senate
Venezuela's latest constitution was adopted in December 1999. It was drafted by a constituent assembly created by popular referendum. The 1999 Constitution, also known as the "Bolivarian Constitution", brought about significant changes to the structure of Venezuela's government and ushered in the "Fifth Republic of Venezuela".
One notable aspect of the 1999 Constitution was its abolition of the Senate. Venezuela's legislative branch transitioned from a bicameral system to a unicameral system, with the establishment of a single-chamber National Assembly. This new assembly consolidated legislative powers, marking a departure from the previous bifurcation between a Chamber of Deputies and a Senate.
The 1999 Constitution also introduced provisions for a Public Defender or "Defensor del Pueblo". This position was envisioned as an ombudsman's office, tasked with overseeing the activities of the presidency, the National Assembly, and the constitution itself. The Public Defender was conceived as a guardian of the moral branch of the Venezuelan government, protecting public and moral interests.
The 1999 Constitution expanded the presidential term of office from five to six years, with a limit of two terms. It also empowered Venezuelan voters by providing a mechanism for national presidential recall referendums. This allowed citizens to initiate a referendum to remove the president from office before the expiration of their term if a valid number of signatures was gathered.
In addition to these political reforms, the 1999 Constitution enshrined a broad range of human rights and social guarantees for all Venezuelans. These included the right to free education up to the tertiary level, free health care, access to a clean environment, and the protection of cultural traditions, religions, and languages of minorities, especially indigenous peoples.
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The 1999 Constitution extended presidential term limits to six years
Venezuela's latest constitution was adopted in December 1999. This constitution, with 350 articles, is one of the world's longest, most complicated, and most comprehensive. It was drafted in mid-1999 by a constituent assembly elected by popular referendum. The 1999 Constitution extended presidential term limits to six years, with each president limited to a maximum of two terms. The presidential term limit was increased from five to six years.
The 1999 Constitution also introduced provisions for national presidential recall referendums, giving Venezuelan voters the right to remove their president from office before the expiration of the presidential term. Such referendums would be activated upon provision of petitions with a valid number of signatures. The first referendum was held in 2004 but failed to receive majority support.
The 1999 Constitution brought about significant changes to Venezuela's government structure and responsibilities. It also enshrined a much greater number of human rights guarantees for all Venezuelans, including free education up to tertiary level, free healthcare, access to a clean environment, and the right of minorities (especially indigenous peoples) to uphold their traditional cultures, religions, and languages.
The 1999 Constitution was the first in Venezuelan history to be approved by popular referendum, inaugurating the "Fifth Republic of Venezuela" due to its socioeconomic reforms and official name change to the "Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela." It replaced the 1961 Constitution, the longest-serving in Venezuelan history, and was promoted by then-President Hugo Chávez, receiving strong backing from diverse sectors. Chávez and his followers refer to the 1999 document as the "Constitución Bolivariana" ("Bolivarian Constitution"), asserting that it is ideologically descended from Simón Bolívar's political philosophy.
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Frequently asked questions
Venezuela adopted its latest constitution in 1999.
The 1999 Constitution was the first in Venezuelan history to be approved by popular referendum. It also heralded a "hyperpresidential" system, increasing the presidential term from five to six years and allowing for the possibility of immediate re-election.
The 1999 Constitution, also known as the "Bolivarian Constitution", made Venezuela's presidency stronger than that of most Latin American countries. It also enshrined a much greater number of human rights, including free education up to tertiary level, free healthcare, and access to a clean environment.
Venezuela has a long history of constitutional reform. On average, a new constitution is adopted every ten years.
The 1999 Constitution replaced the 1961 Constitution, which was the longest-serving in Venezuelan history.
