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It passed overwhelmingly followed three months later by elections to the National Assembly to which members of Chavez's then MVR party and those allied with it won 95% of the seats.
They, in turn, drafted the revolutionary Constitucion de la Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela. In December 1999, a second referendum overwhelmingly approved it, changing everything responsibly from then to now.
It established a humanistic participatory social democracy, unimaginable in America. It provided real (not imagined) checks and balances in the nation's five branches of government. They include the executive, legislative, and judicial, as well as an independent national electoral council and public power branch, giving Venezuelans a say in their own government.
This branch includes the attorney general, the defender of the people, and the comptroller general. The principle of participatory democracy was established.
Discrimination was banned. Free expression as well as fair and open elections are promoted. So are gender equity and indigenous peoples' rights. Essential social benefits were mandated, including quality free education to the highest levels, healthcare and more.
Venezuela uses its resources responsibly. It also:
- respects rule of law principles;
- human and civil rights;
- promotes global solidarity, equality and social justice;
- opposes imperial wars;
- doesn't invade its neighbors or practice torture;
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