Venezuela

Abstract

The Republic of Venezuela was formed in 1830, by secession from the other members of the Free State founded by Simon Bolivar within the limits of the Spanish colony of New Granada. The charter of fundamental laws actually in force, dating from 1830, and re-proclaimed, with alterations, on March 28, 1864, and April 1881, is designed on the model of the Constitution of the United States of America, but with considerably more independence secured to provincial and local government. At the head of the central executive government is the President, elected for the term of two years, exercising his functions through six ministers, and a Federal Council of 19 members. The Federal Council is appointed by the Congress every two years ; the Council from its own members, choose a President, who is also President of the Republic. Neither the President nor members of the Federal Council can be re-elected for the following period. The President has no veto power. The legislation for the whole Republic is vested in a Congress of two Houses, called the Senate (three senators for each of the eight States and the Federal District), and the House of Representatives (one to every 35,000 of population). The Senators are elected for four years by the Legislature of each State, and the Representatives for a like period by ‘popular, direct, and public election.’ The Congresses of States are elected by universal suffrage.