By Prensa Latina
Caracas : Members of the National Indigenous Movement of Venezuela (MNIV) took part in a strategy meeting on Friday to re-launch President Hugo Chavez’ proposal of constitutional reform.
MNIV coordinator Facundo Guanipa said the meeting, attended by delegates from the states of Anzoategui, Monagas, Sucre and Trujillo, considered collecting signatures to present the project again.
Guanipas explained that the meeting was also a bright opportunity to assess the causes of the defeat of YES in the December 2 referendum and agree on steps to convince people of the benefits of the initiative.
He noted that according to referendum data, over 98 percent of the indigenous population voted to modify the Constitution; therefore, they will mobilize to re-launch the proposal, as established under the Constitution.
Under the Venezuelan Constitution, the president can convene a referendum to introduce changes to the law, but if the people present a demand signed by 15 percent of voters and the approval of the National Assembly, they also can convene a referendum.