The Venezuelan people celebrate on this day the 25th anniversary of the approval of a new Magna Carta that represented a profound change in the legal and political order of the country, laying the foundations for a new model of society.

On a day like today, December 15, 1999, the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was approved in a popular referendum, an event that marked a before and after in the history of the nation.

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The Venezuelan people celebrate on this day the 25th anniversary of the approval of a new Magna Carta that represented a profound change in the legal and political order of the country, laying the foundations for a new model of society.

The Venezuelan Constitution establishes the juridical-political organization of the Nation as a democratic and social State of Law and Justice.

A new Constitution. Importance

The new Magna Carta was a break with the past, breaking away from the 1961 Constitution and at the same time responding to the aspirations for change of a large part of the population.

It consecrated Venezuela as a social state based on the rule of law and justice, with emphasis on a wide range of social, economic and cultural rights, such as the right to health, education, housing and work. This led to the implementation of social programs aimed at improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable sectors.

It strengthened the mechanisms for citizen participation, such as referendums, popular consultations and communal councils, giving them a leading role in public administration. The communal councils, created by the Constitution, became a tool for the organization and empowerment of local communities.

It redistributed political power and established new institutions, such as the Supreme Court of Justice and the Ombudsman’s Office, with the objective of guaranteeing a more equitable and transparent justice system.

The country’s cultural and linguistic diversity was recognized, granting special rights to indigenous and Afro-Caribbean peoples.

Elaboration, participatory constituent process

The drafting of the new Constitution was a broadly participatory process, in which public consultations and debates were held throughout the country. Millions of Venezuelans had the opportunity to express their opinions and proposals, which gave it a legitimate and popular character.

Historic milestone

The 1999 Constitution represents a historic milestone in the trajectory of the Venezuelan nation. Its approval marked the beginning of a new political and social era, with profound implications for the life of the Venezuelan people. It has allowed progress in social inclusion, human rights and the democratization of politics with an emphasis on citizen participation and social justice.

After 25 years of its approval, it is still a fundamental text for understanding contemporary Venezuela and a fundamental reference for building a more equitable and just future and society.

Constitutional President Nicolás Maduro

The National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will swear in next January the constitutional president Nicolás Maduro Moros elected by the vote of the people and proclaimed by the National Electoral Council (CNE).

The President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez has reiterated that next January 10, the date established in the Constitution for the inauguration, Nicolás Maduro will go to the Legislative seat to be sworn in as President of the nation for the period 2025-2030.

Nicolás Maduro has summoned the Venezuelan people to take to the streets on this occasion to “swear for Venezuela, swear for independence, swear for the Bolivarian homeland (…) to unite, in a single fist of strength, all the historical strength of General Ezequiel Zamora, Liberator Simón Bolívar and the late President Hugo Chávez to carry out great transformations and changes.”

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