REFERENDUM IN VENEZUELA

That this House notes the results of the referendum in Venezuela on 2nd December, in which proposed constitutional changes narrowly failed to be endorsed by 51 per cent. to 49 per cent.; further notes that President Hugo Chávez quickly accepted the result and congratulated the opponents of the proposed constitutional changes on their success; believes that this election is one example of the vibrancy of the democratic process in Venezuela and of President Chávez's commitment to democracy; further notes that this was the 12th national vote in Venezuela since 1998 when Hugo Chávez was first elected; believes this commitment to democracy is in contrast to the way that opponents of the Chávez government have sought to overthrow it through non-democratic means including a military coup in 2002; is concerned by the false claims that were made by opponents of Venezuela's elected government in the run-up to the referendum that the vote may not be free and fair and believes that these have been shown to be unfounded; further notes that Hugo Chávez's current term as President runs to 2012 and offers its ongoing support to his government's policies of advancing social inclusion and equality; and is confident that Hugo Chávez will continue to lead the fight against neo-liberalism in Latin America, supported by all those who wish to end the exploitation of the people and environment of that continent.