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Election Date: December 2, 2006

At stake: President

Background

A country deeply divided in followers and detractors of an eccentric president, Venezuela is also the fifth largest oil exporter in the world. A populist left-wing government has led the nation for the past six years, concentrating on social programs and opposing open market policies in the name of a "Bolivarian Revolution."

In 1947, renowned native writer Rómulo Gallegos of Democratic Action (AD) became the first democratically elected president in the South American country. He was ousted a few months later in a military coup led by Marcos Pérez Jiménez. A repressive dictatorship was instated until 1958, when a popular revolt forced the colonel to flee the country.

A new constitution was implemented in 1961. Oil revenues maintained the Venezuelan economy in a privileged position, but also increased the country's wealth gap.

In the mid-1970s—under the rule of the AD's Carlos Andrés Pérez—Venezuela benefited from high oil prices in the international market. The country joined the economic association of Latin American States known as the Andean Group, and nationalized the oil and iron industries.

In the early 1980s, Venezuela's prosperity and low foreign debt came to an end when oil prices fell worldwide. As inflation and unemployment raised causing political instability, Pérez took office again in 1989. After surviving two violent attempted coups in 1992, his presidency ended when he was accused of corruption. In 1996, Pérez was sentenced to 28 months of house arrest for aggravated generic embezzlement.

Former president Rafael Caldera—who had governed from 1969 to 1974—came back to power in 1994 representing the National Convergence (CN) party. Caldera started a process of privatization of national industries that his successor would radically reverse.

In 1999, Hugo Chávez—a former colonel who served two years in jail for leading one of the coups against Pérez—was elected president running as an independent.

Chávez halted the privatization process and took measures to increase oil prices. In 1999, a new constitution was approved after a national referendum. The presidential term was extended from four to six years with the possibility of consecutive reelection. The president was also granted more power to take economic decisions, and the unicameral National Assembly was established.

In July 2000, Chávez won the presidential election with 59.5 per cent of the vote, representing the Patriotic Pole (PP) coalition. The alliance included Chávez's Fifth Republic Movement (MVR), the Movement to Socialism (MAS), and Fatherland for Everybody (PPT).

In 2001, the left-wing leader introduced 49 new laws, including some that gave the state tighter controls over the oil industry and land reforms.

In 2002, Chávez faced a general strike after he tried to take full control of the state-administered oil company Petróleos de Venezuela. That same year, he survived a 48-hour coup led by businessman Pedro Carmona and some rogue military officers. Ten people died and more than a hundred were injured when thousands of Chávez followers and detractors clashed in street demonstrations.

A recall referendum on Chávez's rule took place in August 2004, after many attempts from the opposition to gather enough signatures to force a ballot. 59 per cent of all voters supported the head of state, in elections considered as "transparent" by the Organization of American States (OAS).

In December 2005, Venezuelan voters renewed their National Assembly in an election marred by a low turnout.

Click here for Venezuela 2005 National Assembly Tracker

2006 Presidential Election

On Feb. 19, Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez said he would consider revising the constitution's term limits "if the opposition tries to pull the same stunt of everyone pulling out (of the presidential election)." Currently, a president is eligible to serve two six-year terms.

In late April, Chávez joined Bolivian president Evo Morales and Cuban leader Fidel Castro in Havana, and agreed to set up a "people's trade bloc." In May, Morales and Chávez announced the establishment of mining company Minersur. The Venezuelan government has committed $140 million U.S. in loans to the Bolivian administration.

On May 6, Chávez hinted a calling for a referendum on term limits if the opposition threatens to boycott the presidential ballot, saying, "Although they accuse me of wanting to remain in power, I'm going to ask you: 'Do you agree to Hugo Chávez remaining president until 2031, yes or no?'"

On Jun. 5, Julio Andrés Borges of Justice First (PJ), Zulia governor Manuel Rosales and former planning minister Teodoro Petkoff announced their intention to nominate a single candidate to face Chávez. Democratic Action (AD) leader Víctor Antonio Bolívar disagreed with the three prospective contenders, saying, "The main issue here is to find out if the conditions for a fair electoral process in December are there."

On Jul. 7, civil organization Súmate scheduled an opposition presidential primary for Aug. 13. Petkoff said he would not be a contender, adding, "This election was imposed in an arrogant and authoritarian manner, and under unacceptable conditions."

On Jul. 12, the National Assembly—where the pro-Chávez Fifth Republic Movement (MVR) holds 114 of the 167 seats—called for an enquiry on how Súmate intends to organize and fund the process. MVR lawmaker Pedro Carreño declared, "It is necessary for us to thoroughly investigate this abnormal situation."

On Jul. 13, Rosales said he expected to win the opposition primary, adding, "The people are rattled as they seek a solution to the current crisis. The country is urging those who are not part of the government to structure a change in Venezuela."

June polls by Hinterlaces and Databalisis put Chávez in first place with at least 55 per cent.

On Jul. 29, Rosales expressed satisfaction with the early stages of the campaign, saying, "There is an insurmountable force which is expanding all over the country. We will decide if the Venezuelan people continue to receive mere crumbs, or if our oil riches can actually reach the pockets of every single Venezuelan."

On Aug. 10, the primary was called off, as the opposition united to support Rosales. On Aug. 20, Rosales criticized the current government, saying, "We are even selling subsidized oil to the United States. Meanwhile, unemployment in Venezuela is at about 15 per cent, about 72 per cent of the middle class has become poorer, our health services are going downhill and our infrastructure is crumbling."

On Aug. 23, humorist Benjamín Rausseo officially became a presidential candidate, saying, "We will guarantee a victory voting with joy."

On Sept. 7, Rosales accused Chávez supporters of attacking him and his staff for the second time in a week. In a news conference, the UNT candidate declared, "I'm not afraid of Chávez or his ambushes."

Rosales claimed that a group of the president's supporters fired shots into the air in order to sabotage his visit to a working-class neighbourhood in Caracas. Two days earlier, El Universal reported that three members of Rosales' campaign staff had been physically attacked by Chávez supporters in the state of Vargas. The government had no comment regarding the accusations.

A late August poll by Datanálisis placed Chávez as the favourite with 58 per cent, followed by Rosales with 17.4 per cent, and Rausseo with 1.4 per cent. An early September survey by Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates had Chávez at 50 per cent, followed by Rosales with 37 per cent, and Rausseo with three per cent.

On Sept. 19 at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Chávez criticized U.S. president George W. Bush, declaring, "The gentleman to whom I refer as the devil, came here, talking as if he owned the world. (...) As the spokesman of imperialism, he came to share his nostrums, to try to preserve the current pattern of domination, exploitation and pillage of the peoples of the world."

On Sept. 20, Rosales declared, "While Chávez is talking about the devil and sulphur, I'm talking about God, development, progress and modernity."

An early September poll by Hinterlaces placed Chávez in first place with 48 per cent, followed by Rosales with 30 per cent.

On Sept. 22, Chávez discussed his government's measures to deal with drugs, saying, "Ever since we kicked the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) out, the arrests of drug traffickers have multiplied. The DEA was in on it, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was in on it, and now it is time to clean the (Venezuelan) police."

On Oct. 23, Movement to Socialism (MAS) leader Leopoldo Puchi called for a presidential debate featuring Chávez and Rosales, declaring, "This is not a ploy, but rather a stellar moment in a campaign. The people want to contrast the opinions of presidential hopefuls."

On Oct. 24, Rosales called on Chávez to take part in a televised debate, declaring, "I wait for you so that, in front of the country and the television channels, we take part in a discussion that allows Venezuelans to know which project and vision of the country you have, and which project and vision of the country we have."

Polls released in October by IVAD, Opinión Pública Consultores and Zogby International suggested a victory for Chávez with more than 50 per cent of all cast ballots.

On Nov. 7, Chávez dismissed taking part in a televised debate with Rosales, declaring, "This is like a boxing match, and the boxer who is being pounded is trying to grab a baseball bat in the last round to see if he can get a knock out."

On Nov. 9, Chávez publicly accused his opponents of spreading negative rumours and called for investors to remain vigilant, saying, "The Venezuelan financial system has never been as solid as it is today."

On Nov. 15, Rausseo withdrew his candidacy, declaring, "I want to thank all who have supported me up to this point, and the people from the Piedra Party who have worked with a lot of effort, dedication and care." Rausseo refused to endorse any of the two main contenders, adding, "I am retiring through the front door, without backing anyone, and I am letting all my followers free to vote for the candidate of their preference."

On Nov. 17, Chávez threatened to take action against privately-owned television stations, declaring, "Any television network that lends itself to the broadcast of messages inciting terrorism, hatred or war, or which calls on people to disregard the authorities, has to be banned."

On Nov. 19, Rosales expressed confidence in a positive outcome, saying, "The most important thing to look for in polls are trends, and right now (Chávez) is coming down, and I'm gaining. He has been playing, talking and deciding by himself for almost eight years, while I've been campaigning for two months and one week."

On Nov. 20, Rosales predicted "an avalanche of ballots" in his favour on election day, adding, "People are going to come out and vote, regardless of the actions that are taking place right now to intimidate them." Mario Issea, one of Chávez's campaign coordinators, said the president would earn a new term adding, "The phoney polls are trying to establish a trend to allow Rosales to claim fraud, but true surveys and the people are corroborating that Chávez will win."

On Nov. 23, Rosales once again challenged Chávez to a debate, declaring, "If he is leading by 20 points, why are they so nervous? Why won't the candidate come down from Mount Olympus and meet with me?"

On Nov. 27, Chávez held a campaign rally in Caracas and expressed confidence in a victory, saying, "There is no room for any other project in Venezuela other than the Bolivarian revolution. Do not forget that we are facing the devil himself, which is the imperialist government of the United States. This is the real foe, and not the lackeys they have here."

On Nov. 30, Rosales vowed to bring prosperity to Venezuela, declaring, "Foreign and national capital is being scared away, nobody wants to invest here because there is no respect for private property. This is a country where there is no security of any kind, where all we have is a violent and threatening discourse."

On the same day, Chávez suggested that the opposition is planning to topple him, saying, "We know what they are up to. Don't think you are going take the country by surprise, ruin Venezuelans' Christmas, block highways, set fire to cars, hold protests, stage a coup and cry fraud. We are going to win and we hope that the opposition will accept their defeat."

Polls released in November by Evans/McDonough, Veneopsa, Hinterlaces, Datanálisis, Ipsos and Zogby International gave Chávez a double-digit lead over Rosales, but studies by Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates and Survey Fast Venezuela had the president ahead by less than seven points.

Voting took place on Dec. 3. Final results gave Chávez the victory with 62.89 per cent, with Rosales a distant second with 36.85 per cent. The incumbent president celebrated in Caracas, declaring, "Everything has been completed, the great victory of the Bolivarian revolution."

Rosales questioned the final outcome, saying, "The truth is that though the margin is closer, we recognize that today we were defeated. But we continue to fight. We will remain in the street."

On Jan. 10, 2007, Chávez was sworn in for a six-year term. The Venezuelan president expressed his desire to build "Venezuelan socialism," adding, "I don't have the slightest doubt that is the only path to the redemption of our peoples, the salvation of our fatherland."

Political Players

President: Hugo Chávez - MVR
Executive vice-president: Diosdado Cabello

The president is elected to a six-year term by popular vote.

Legislative Branch: The Asamblea Nacional (National Assembly) will have 167 members, elected to five-year terms by proportional representation.

Results of Last Election:

President - Dec. 3, 2006.

Note: Democratic Action (AD), the Social Christian Party (Copei), Project Venezuela (Proven), Justice First (PJ) and A New Time (UNT) boycotted the election.

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