This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7124313.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Chavez defeated over reform vote Chavez defeated over reform vote
(about 4 hours later)
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has narrowly lost a referendum on controversial constitutional changes.Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has narrowly lost a referendum on controversial constitutional changes.
Voters rejected the raft of reforms by a margin of 51% to 49%, the chief of the National Electoral Council said. Voters rejected the reforms, which would have opened the way for Mr Chavez to stay in power indefinitely, by 51% of the vote to 49%, officials said.
Mr Chavez described the defeat as a "photo finish", and urged followers not to turn it into a point of conflict. Mr Chavez described the defeat as a "photo finish" and urged followers not to turn it into a point of conflict.
Correspondents say the opposition could barely hide their delight and that the victory will put a brake on Mr Chavez's self-styled "Socialist revolution". Correspondents say the victory will put a brake on Mr Chavez's self-styled "socialist revolution".
Celebrations by the opposition began almost immediately in the capital, Caracas, with activists cheering, beeping car horns and waving flags. Celebrations began almost immediately in the capital, Caracas, among activists who had opposed the president's raft of proposals, which included ending limits on presidential terms, halting the central bank's autonomy and cutting the working week.
"Venezuela won today, democracy won today, and I am sure that this victory for the Venezuelan people will have a very important impact in the rest of Latin America," Leopoldo Lopez, opposition mayor of Caracas' Chaqua municipality, told the BBC. "Venezuela won today, democracy won today, and I am sure that this victory for the Venezuelan people will have a very important impact in the rest of Latin America," Leopoldo Lopez, opposition mayor of Caracas' Chacao municipality, told the BBC.
'Don't feel sad''Don't feel sad'
The BBC's James Ingham in Caracas says Mr Chavez had expected a big win and will be very disappointed.The BBC's James Ingham in Caracas says Mr Chavez had expected a big win and will be very disappointed.
However, he swiftly conceded and urged the opposition to show restraint. However, the president swiftly conceded and urged the opposition to show restraint.
Defeat in pictures Chavez upbeat amidst defeat Reaction in quotes
"To those who voted against my proposal, I thank them and congratulate them," he said. "I ask all of you to go home, know how to handle your victory.""To those who voted against my proposal, I thank them and congratulate them," he said. "I ask all of you to go home, know how to handle your victory."
He insisted that he would "continue in the battle to build socialism".He insisted that he would "continue in the battle to build socialism".
"Don't feel sad," he told his supporters, saying there were "microscopic differences" between the "yes" and "no" options. class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7124564.stm">Defeat in pictures class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7124547.stm">Chavez upbeat amid defeat class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7124376.stm">Reaction in quotes "Don't feel sad," he told his supporters.
He said the reforms had failed "for now" but vowed to fight on.
"For now, we couldn't do it," he said, repeating words he spoke after his failed coup attempt in February 1992."For now, we couldn't do it," he said, repeating words he spoke after his failed coup attempt in February 1992.
Our correspondent says that some of Mr Chavez' loyal supporters have gone against him on this occasion. Our correspondent says that some of Mr Chavez's loyal supporters have gone against him on this occasion.
Though some of them may still support him, he says, they think he has gone a little too far in a country which has a history of dictatorships.Though some of them may still support him, he says, they think he has gone a little too far in a country which has a history of dictatorships.
'Too much power' US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns said the development was "positive news".
The result marks the president's first electoral reverse since he won power in an election in 1998. "We felt that this referendum was a referendum to make Chavez president for life and that's not ever a welcome development in a country that wants to be a democracy," he said while attending a seminar in Singapore.
BBC Americas reporter, Julian Miglierin, says many analysts are pointing to the abstention rate of 44%.
KEY PROPOSALS Indefinite re-election of president, term increased from 6 to 7 yearsCentral Bank autonomy ended Structure of country's administrative districts reorganised Maximum working day cut from 8 hours to 6 Voting age lowered from 18 to 16Social security benefits extended to workers in informal sector Q&A: Venezuela's referendumKEY PROPOSALS Indefinite re-election of president, term increased from 6 to 7 yearsCentral Bank autonomy ended Structure of country's administrative districts reorganised Maximum working day cut from 8 hours to 6 Voting age lowered from 18 to 16Social security benefits extended to workers in informal sector Q&A: Venezuela's referendum
He says the bulk of those who abstained are thought to be Chavez supporters who chose not to endorse the reforms, while voters backing the opposition turned out in droves.
The result marks the president's first electoral reverse since he won power in an election in 1998.
Since then he has set about introducing sweeping changes in the country's laws aimed at redistributing Venezuela's oil wealth to poorer farmers in rural areas.Since then he has set about introducing sweeping changes in the country's laws aimed at redistributing Venezuela's oil wealth to poorer farmers in rural areas.
Just a year ago, he was re-elected with 63% of the vote.Just a year ago, he was re-elected with 63% of the vote.
But analysts say the defeat should cause him to rethink the pace and scope of his reforms.But analysts say the defeat should cause him to rethink the pace and scope of his reforms.
With his constitutional reform proposals, Mr Chavez was seeking an end to presidential term limits and the removal of the Central Bank's autonomy. Having lost the vote, the current rules state that he will have to stand down in 2013. Having lost the vote, the current rules state that he will have to stand down in 2013.
The main opposition parties had claimed during the referendum campaign that Mr Chavez was seeking to give himself too much power, and was trying to establish a dictatorship.
Are you in Venezuela? What do you think about the result? Send us your comments using the post form below.
Mr Chavez said the package of reforms was necessary to "construct a new socialist economy".
Are you in Venezuela, what do you think about the result? Send us your comments using the post form below.
You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 0044 (0)7725 100 100You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 0044 (0)7725 100 100
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name:
 Name: