Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5, 2008

Contact: Olivia Goumbri, Venezuela Information Office, 301-613-4767

Democracy in Venezuela Safe Under New Laws, VIO Says

The Venezuela Information Office (VIO) asserts that a set of 26 new laws passed by presidential decree one month ago on August 5th, 2008, do not undermine the strong democratic institutions and norms of Venezuela, and are in accordance with the constitution approved by voters in a national referendum in 1999.

"The new laws simply enhance many of the values for which the Chávez administration stands and for which people have repeatedly elected it, such as citizen involvement in government, human rights, security and national sovereignty, and a fair economy," said Olivia Goumbri, Executive Director of the VIO.

The laws have sparked debate in Venezuela, where some have questioned their constitutionality by petitioning to bring them before the Organization of American States (OAS). However, OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza has frequently affirmed that democracy is "in full force" in Venezuela, and has pointed out that the role of the OAS is not to sanction countries.

The 26 new laws differ significantly from the proposal put to voters last year. They are technical in nature, and aim to increase government efficiency in the areas of food supply, consumer rights and credit, collective enterprise, and national security, among others.

Debates about the laws passed on August 5th demonstrate that Venezuela's political life is a vibrant one, full of open public debate in the media and in civil society. This vibrancy has been demonstrated repeatedly in elections under President Chávez, when up to 75 percent of citizens have turned out to vote. The constitution also allows voters to petition to hold a recall referendum on the current president at any time, a process that was carried out successfully in 2004.


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NOTE: The Venezuela Information Office is dedicated to informing the American public about contemporary Venezuela, and receives its funding from the government of Venezuela. More information is available from the FARA office of the Department of Justice in Washington DC.

Venezuela Information Office
2000 P Street NW, Suite 240, Washington, DC 20036  tel: (202) 347-8081  fax: (202) 223-8029