USAID/OTI Venezuela Field Report
October - December 2007
Program Description
In August 2002, USAID initiated a program in Venezuela to provide assistance to maintain democratic stability and strengthen the country's fragile democratic institutions. The program operates out of the U.S. Embassy and is part of a larger U.S. Government effort to promote democracy in Venezuela. The current FY 2008 budget for the program is $5 million, which includes $3 million in Economic Support Funds.
The Venezuela program has two main objectives: (1) strengthen democratic institutions and promote space for democratic dialogue; and (2) encourage citizen participation in democratic processes. USAID works with several implementing partners drawn from the spectrum of civil society focusing on dialogue, public debate, citizen participation, and training for democratic leadership. The program provides technical assistance to political parties, offers technical support to human rights practitioners, and supports civil society.
Country Situation
The constitutional reform process and its outcome dominated Venezuelan politics during the quarter. The December 2 vote on the proposed reforms was close, but ultimately the reforms failed to pass (see Constitutional Reform below).
Political Developments - A number of important political developments surfaced during the quarter, including the following:
- Throughout the final 3 months of 2007, President Chavez communicated with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a Colombian terrorist group, to secure the release of a number of hostages. The Colombian Government ultimately dismissed President Chavez as a negotiator, alleging interference in Colombian internal affairs. Chavez later attempted to secure the release of three hostages, including a child born to one of the hostages and a FARC guerilla. The child was later discovered to be living outside of FARC custody, but two other hostages were released. The FARC took 521 additional hostages in 2007.
- The Government of Venezuela (GOV) unveiled a new education curriculum that focuses on Bolivarian thought and the creation of the "new man." The curriculum is to be implemented in all schools. Minister of Education Adan Chavez, the President's brother, has promoted the changes. President Chavez has threatened State takeover of any private schools that do not adopt the curriculum.
- The GOV deepened ties with Cuba, as President Chavez traveled to the island to sign additional economic agreements. Chavez raised some controversy by referring to Venezuela and Cuba as "one country."
- President Chavez traveled to Chile for the Ibero-American Summit. During the closing ceremonies there was a verbal altercation between Chavez and the King of Spain. Chavez was trying to interrupt Spanish President Zapatero's defense of former President Aznar (who Chavez had repeatedly referred to as a fascist).
- The caso maletin (suitcase scandal) resurfaced following the indictments in Miami of four men who were charged with being undeclared agents of a foreign government. The incident concerns a Venezuelan/U.S. citizen, Guido Alejandro Antonini Wilson, who was caught last spring entering Argentina with $800,000 in a briefcase. The four men allegedly threatened Mr. Antonini Wilson and tried to concoct a plan to cover up the money's intended use. (According to allegations in the Argentine press, the funds were to be used to support Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner's presidential campaign.) Both Venezuelan and Argentinean authorities deny these charges, and Argentina has called repeatedly for Antonini Wilson's extradition to face charges of money laundering.
- President Chavez used the holiday season to announce the passage by decree (allowed by the Enabling Law) of an Amnesty Law that terminates specific cases against people who were associated with the coup attempt in April 2002. All cases that do not involve crimes against humanity receive the amnesty.
Constitutional Reform - Constitutional reform has been the most significant and controversial of the five "motors" of President Chavez's Bolivarian Revolution. The proposed constitutional changes were designed to create a framework within which the other motors of the revolution could deepen and accelerate their impact.
The National Assembly held its final discussions on constitutional reform in October and added 36 articles to the President's original list of 33. The final 69 articles included the following proposals:
- Indefinite Reelection - This proposal recommended a modification of the presidential term from 6 years to 7 years and would have allowed the president to stand for reelection without limit.
- Territorial Reorganization - This proposal would have allowed the president to create federal cities, federal municipalities, and federal regions. These entities would have been governed by presidential appointees. Also, the proposal provided for the appointment of regional vice presidents - designated by the president - who would have been responsible for administering and managing their respective geographic areas.
- Armed Forces - This proposal sought to elevate reserve forces to the status of militia and charged civilians with the responsibility of defending the republic in the event of an attack. It also would have permitted the Army to "be involved in the maintenance of internal order" and allowed the executive the authority to promote all ranks.
- Popular Power - This proposed reform sought to establish so-called popular power as the sixth branch of government. According to the proposal, this power is "not elected but is derived from local organization." The proposal stated that "the people are the repository of sovereignty, which they exercise directly through popular power." The reform also referenced "communal power," indicating that the commune is the fundamental unit of society. However, the administrators of these units would not be popularly elected; rather, they would be appointed by the president.
- Shortening the Workday - This reform would have shortened the workday to 6 hours.
- Social Security for Informal Workers - This reform would have provided social security benefits to the many Venezuelan workers who do not participate in the formal economy and are currently ineligible for benefits.
A few of weeks prior to the scheduled vote on constitutional reform, President Chavez and the National Assembly decided to divide the articles into two blocks. One block consisted of the 33 amendments originally proposed by the President as well as 13 that originated in the assembly; the second block contained the remaining 23 assembly-proposed articles.
While some of the proposed reforms were popular, on December 2, the Venezuelan people voted to reject both blocks of amendments. Turnout was not high, a fact that could have contributed to the defeat of the proposal. About 57 percent of eligible voters cast votes, and certain aspects of the reform were highly contentious. The margin of defeat was exceedingly small: 51.6 percent against to 49.4 percent for. President Chavez conceded the loss but later vowed to resubmit some of the articles for future votes. He has had signs posted around the country saying simply, "Por Ahora..." (For Now...).
OTI Highlights
A. Narrative Summary
USAID/OTI, through its implementing partners, supported efforts to get out the vote and increase voter participation. These efforts included providing support for public forums on the major issues and for nonpartisan education campaigns. All support for referendum-related activities was undertaken from a neutral position and focused on fostering debate and participation.
USAID/OTI continued working with political parties to improve their capabilities in areas such as constituency outreach and institutional development. All of these activities were open to any interested political parties.
B. Grants Activity Summary
USAID/OTI has approved 451 grants totaling $11,157,168 since the program's inception. Twenty-three grants were active during the quarter. In addition, OTI has committed $1,379,347 to support the activities of 18 Venezuelan nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
C. Indicators of Success
The program worked throughout the quarter to coordinate activities in a manner that would allow for maximum outreach. Increased cooperation bolstered efforts to provide targeted information to the broadest audience possible.
Grantee reports were essential to efforts to disseminate information about areas critical to a functioning democracy. These reports generated press coverage and increased awareness about issues such as freedom of expression, violence in the prison system, health care, and crime. Grantee achievements in this area demonstrate the success of efforts to build the capacity of civil society organizations to play a meaningful role in Venezuelan society.
Program Appraisal
The Venezuela program is similar to USAID programs in other countries in this hemisphere and around the world in that it seeks to strengthen democracy and its supporting institutions. The program in Venezuela is designed to strengthen civil society and political parties, the key components to a healthy democracy and the channels through which citizens often express their desires, needs, and concerns as well as find ways to collectively address them.
The Government of Venezuela (GOV) is openly hostile to USAID/OTI activities and has threatened its implementing partners with sanctions. Moreover, draft legislation has been developed to outlaw non-GOV funding of civil society.
The program has developed contacts with NGOs throughout the country, although continued outreach to new states and organizations is a priority for future work.
Activity this quarter shows that prior years' efforts have built a solid base for OTI's work in Venezuela. This base creates many possibilities for successful and strategically targeted collaborations with Venezuelan civil society.
Next Steps/Immediate Priorities
USAID/OTI will continue its work in the areas of civic education and citizen participation and will continue to support human rights defenders as they improve their ability to research, report on, and present cases of human rights abuses. Work will also continue with all political parties that wish to receive training in the areas of platform development and voter outreach.
For further information, please contact:
In Washington, D.C: Russell Porter, LAC Program Manager, 202-712-5455, rporter@usaid.gov
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