IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 40
Condemning the current political unrest and political leadership in Venezuela, 
calling for new elections in accordance with the constitution of that 
country, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 28, 2003
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on International Relations 
RESOLUTION 
Condemning the current political unrest and political leader-
ship in Venezuela, calling for new elections in accordance 
with the constitution of that country, and for other pur-
poses.
Whereas the frustration of a poor Venezuelan majority swept 
President Hugo Chavez and his ‘‘revolution for the poor’’ 
to a landslide victory in 1998; 
Whereas many Venezuelans have since been disheartened by 
the lack of progress of the Chavez government in improv-
ing economic conditions in Venezuela; 
Whereas Chavez’s alliance with President Fidel Castro and 
the anti-American views expressed by Chavez have caused 
many Venezuelans to lose confidence in his leadership;
•HRES 40 IH 
Whereas under President Chavez Venezuela has undergone 
enormous political changes through the establishment of 
a new constitution, a new 6–year term for the president, 
a unicameral national assembly by eliminating the Sen-
ate, and even a new name for the country, the Bolivarian 
Republic of Venezuela; 
Whereas such changes allow President Chavez to dominate 
most political institutions, and this has caused some in 
Venezuela to fear that President Chavez is moving to-
ward authoritarian rule; 
Whereas the increased role of the military in the govern-
ment—through the appointment of dozens of retired and 
active duty officers to key positions, and the mobilization 
of thousands of army reservists for social projects—has 
increased the level of concern of many; 
Whereas President Chavez has called for the establishment of 
political cells in schools, hospitals, and businesses to sup-
port his revolution; 
Whereas such groups known as ‘‘Bolivarian cirles’’ could mir-
ror Cuba’s ‘‘neighborhood committees’’; 
Whereas political unrest in Venezuela has increased; 
Whereas President Chavez could take actions that would fur-
ther destabilize the entire region, including war-torn Co-
lombia, Bolivia, and Peru; 
Whereas this is a critical time in Venezuela’s history with 
much at stake: the integrity and credibility of its political 
institutions; the stability of its economy as affected by 
the petroleum industry; and economic development to ex-
pand its middle class; 
Whereas the Venezuelan political parties are apparently weak 
and some are accused of corruption; and
•HRES 40 IH 
Whereas the Department of State has withdrawn staff from 
the United States embassy in Venezuela because of secu-
rity concerns: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) condemns the current political unrest in 
Venezuela and urges Venezuela to hold new elec-
tions, under international observers, in accordance 
with the provisions of the constitution of that coun-
try; 
(2) recognizes the need for measures to 
strengthen the political institutions in that country; 
and 
(3) urges the executive branch to follow through 
on the agenda and agreements of the Summit of the 
Americas to strengthen the political institutions in 
Venezuela and other countries of Latin America and 
the Caribbean.
Æ