Bolivarian Republic of VenezuelaBackgroundNatural ResourcesEnvironmentSlide 5Historical OverviewSlide 7Political InstitutionsLegislative BranchExecutive BranchJudiciaryCitizens BranchChavez post 1998Nationalization of IndustrySlide 15Bolivarian Republic of VenezuelaBackground•President: Hugo Chavez (since Dec.1998)•Population: 24.3 million•Capital: Caracas •Currency: Bolívar•Area: 912,050 sq. km. (slightly more than twice the size of California).•Other major cities--Maracaibo, Valencia, Barquisimeto.•Terrain: Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains; Guiana Highlands in southeast.•Climate: Varies from tropical to temperate, depending on elevationNatural Resources•Venezuela has one of the largest known oil deposits in the world as well as huge quantities of coal, iron ore, bauxite and gold, nickel and diamonds. •Venezuela is a major supplier to the U.S. and the Caribbean.•Venezuela utilizes vast hydropower resources to supply power to the nation’s industriesEnvironment•Venezuela’s Environmental problems:–A high rate of deforestation relative to its South American neighbors.–Fossil fuel production and consumption without sufficient mitigation. –Oil pollution in water supplies.•More than 30 oil spills have occurred in past years•The occurrence of spills has declined, the waters remain contaminated. –Air pollution in urban and industrial areas.Historical Overview•Pre-Colombian inhabitants of Venezuela:–The Carib, the Arawaka, and the Chibcha.•Named by explorer Alonso de Ojeda. –“Little Venice”•Spanish colony 1521-1821.•Declares independence from Spain in 1810.•1821 official liberation – Simon Bolivar and his campaigners.Political Institutions•Constitution–Chavez elected in 1998 calls for a referendum to convene the Constituent Assembly to write a new constitution.–Single member district based formation of CA gave majority control to Chavez political coalition Polo Patriótico (PP)–Ratified December 1999–Chavez re-elected president in 2000 special election.Legislative Branch•Constituent Assembly replaced with a National Assembly–Unicameral–First-past-the-post single member districts and party list combination (proportional representation).–Five year term, possibility of two re-elections (15 year maximum).–Legislation can be initiated by legislature, president, judiciary, citizen branch, public petition signed by .1% of the registered voters.Executive Branch•President (single executive)–6 year term, limited to two terms.–Plurality vote (direct, universal suffrage).–Vice President appointed by President •Council of Ministers–Cabinet appointed by the president. –Size determined by president.–Advice of National Assembly.Judiciary•Supreme Tribunal of Justice–6 specialized chambers, also meets as plenary–Appointed by National Assembly and serve 12 year terms.–1999 constitution set number at 20. This was amended to 32 in 12/2004 amendment ratified by the National Assembly.–Lower courts: district courts, municipal courts, courts of first instance.Citizens Branch•Three Components:–The attorney general–Ombudsman•Public officials appointed to investigate citizen complains against government agencies or officials.–Comptroller general•The Republican Moral Council –Has the power to challenge to the courts actions which they believe are illegal or violate the constitution.–Selected for 7 year terms by the National Assembly.Chavez post 1998•After several assassination and coup d’etat attempts, Chavez began to introduce many government reforms.•In 2001, Chavez introduced more than 50 reform laws including land and oil industry reforms. –Land redistribution–Nationalization of hydrocarbons–The Revolution will not be Televised•All of these reforms were controversial and sparked new anti-Chavez movements.Nationalization of Industry•Pros and Cons:–MNCs have not given “good deals” in contracts with resource rich countries.–Ex: Oil industry quarterly profits vs indebtedness of resource rich countries–Countries with political development problems are not able to regulate foreign or domestic industry = ongoing pollution and an absence of mitigation strategiesNationalization of Industry•Pros and Cons:–Nationalization requires effective management.–Ex: Chilean mining industry nationalized by Salvador Allende and NOT privatized by Augusto Pinochet. Today it is as competitive and productive as any private concern.–Nationalization does mean that the state directly controls