Army announced troop increase and helicopter patrols of Colombian border. Police clashed with rioting street vendors in Caracas 8 December, leaving 42 injured in worst street violence for months. President Chavez appointed 17 new magistrates to Supreme Court – opposition accused government of attempting to control judiciary. New TV/radio law threatened press freedoms, restricting displays of violence over airwaves.

Public prosecutor Danilo Anderson killed by car bomb 18 November; Anderson had been pursuing cases against opponents of President Hugo Chavez. Government and opposition parties condemned killing; many gathered in Caracas to protest death. At least 2 killed in heavy-handed government response.

Delayed gubernatorial and mayoral elections held 31 October. Both OAS and Carter Center declined invitation by National Electoral Council to observe polls due to time and resource constraints.

Colombian border clash killed 6, 17 September, blamed on Colombian leftist FARC group. Opposition alliance continued to disintegrate after failed August recall referendum. President Chavez vowed to push forward controversial agricultural reform. Regional and municipal elections to be held 31 October after technical difficulties caused month-long delay.

Relative stability returned to Venezuela as President Hugo Chavez won backing of 58% of voters in 15 August recall referendum. Opponents claimed fraud though international observers endorsed results. Only few isolated incidents of violence. Referendum put end to 2-year struggle of democratic opposition to recall President Chavez through article 72 of Venezuela’s constitution. Next presidential elections scheduled for late 2006; Chavez constitutionally entitled to run for re-election.

President Hugo Chavez declared would stand for immediate re-election if he loses 15 August recall referendum, raising tensions as opposition insisted this would be illegal.

President Hugo Chávez stepped back from brink of constitutional crisis by accepting recall referendum - set for 15 August - after opposition gathered 2.54 million signatures, surpassing 2.43 million (20% of electorate) required by constitution. Decision avoids direct confrontation with popular opposition; followed highly publicised talks between Chávez and OAS Secretary General Cesar Gaviria and former U.S. president Jimmy Carter. To win referendum opponents must match 3.76 million votes Chávez received in 2000 election. Opposition still concerned government may try to manipulate election process. Should Chávez lose recall before 19 August (completion of 4th year of 6-year term), presidential elections would be held within month. After 19 August, Chávez’s vice president, José Vicente Rangel, would serve remainder of Chávez’s term.

Opposition claims sufficient signatures revalidated to secure 2.43 million required for recall referendum of President Hugo Chavez; awaiting National Electoral Commission (CNE) determination 4 June: significant unrest likely whichever way decision goes. Chavez supporters claim fraud and failure of revalidation. Over 100 suspected Colombian paramilitaries accused by government of assassination plot arrested, along with ex-Venezuelan military officers. Confusion surrounds affair. Plot denounced by opposition, seen by latter as government attempt to divert attention from referendum issue.

Opposition, under protest, agreed to revalidate 1 million disputed signatures for recall referendum on President Chavez 27-31 May with international monitoring. National Electoral Council (CNE) to announce 4 June if referendum to proceed. Risk of violent protests whichever way decision goes. Currently 1.9m votes validated, with 2.4m needed to trigger referendum - which would be held 8 August. Parliament passed law to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 20 to 32, with new judges to be appointed by Chavez, weeks before court considers opposition appeal against rejected referendum signatures.

Increased tension over effort to hold referendum to recall President Chavez. Electoral council handed down official ruling 2 March that 1 million of 3.4 million signatures on recall petition needed to be reaffirmed, effectively preventing referendum. Ruling led to hundreds of thousands protesting, and some 14 deaths, several hundred wounded, 300 detained and charges of torture. Electoral Chamber of Supreme Court overruled Election Board, then Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court purported to overrule Electoral Chamber decision 23 March - leading to standoff in Supreme Court and uncertainty over recall status. Matter now before Court’s full 20-member plenary chamber for final decision. Decision against referendum likely to lead to renewed large scale protests and violence. Venezuelan ambassador to UN resigned to protest growing authoritarianism of government.