1. Venezuela

2. Basic pre-1958 Timeline
Venezuela secedes from Gran Colombia and becomes an independent republic with its capital at Caracas.
Venezuela governed by Antonio Guzman Blanco, who attracts foreign investment, modernizes infrastructure and develops agriculture and education.
Dictator Juan Vicente Gomez governs at a time when Venezuela becomes world's largest exporter of oil.
President Romulo Gallegos, Venezuela's first democratically elected leader, overthrown within eight months in military coup led by Marcos Perez Jimenez.
Perez Jimenez ousted; Romulo Betancourt of the Democratic Action Party (AD) wins democratic presidential election.
Adapted from

4. Pre-Chávez Timeline
Fall in world oil prices generates unrest and cuts in welfare spending; Dr Jaime Lusinchi (AD) elected president and signs pact involving government, trade unions and business.
Carlos Andres Perez (AD) elected president against the background of economic depression, which necessitates an austerity program and an IMF loan. Social and political upheaval includes riots, in which between 300 and 2,000 people are killed, martial law and a general strike.
Some 120 people are killed in two attempted coups, the first led by future president Colonel Hugo Chavez, and the second carried out by his supporters. Chavez is jailed for two years before being pardoned.
Ramon Jose Velasquez becomes interim president after Perez is ousted on charges of corruption; Rafael Caldera elected president.

5. 1993 Presidential Elections
Source:

6. 1998 Election

7. Hugo Chávez Breakdown of old system. Lack of a viable opposition.
Populism.
Oil.
Center-left, “Bolivarian,” “Socialism”
ALBA (Bolivarian Alternative for Latin America and the Caribbean)

8. Hugo Chávez: Key Dates
Feb 1999: Takes office after winning election
July: Re-elected under new constitution for a six-year term
April 2002: Abortive coup. Chavez returns to power after two days
August 2004: Wins recall referendum on whether he should serve out rest of his term
Dec 2006: Wins another six-year term with 63%
Dec 2007: Loses constitutional referendum which included proposal to allow the president to run indefinitely for office
Feb 2009: Wins referendum that lifts term limits on elected officials
Source: stm

9. 1999 Constitutional Reform Referendum

10. 2000 Election

11. 2004 Referendum

12. 2006

13. 2007 Referendum

14. 2007 Referendum

15. 2009 Referendum

16. More Hugo http://www.poliblogger.com/?p=13485

17. ALBA
Members: Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Venezuela

18. Regional Left/Right