Meanwhile, Chavez is dealing with the aftermath of his slim defeat in Sunday’s constitutional referendum. Voters narrowly rejected a series of proposals including an end to presidential term limits and an increase in executive authority. Others included reducing the workday to six hours, creating a new pension fund for informal workers, and empowering community councils. In Bolivia, President Evo Morales praised Chavez’s vow to respect the voters’ choice.

Bolivian President Evo Morales: “I respect and value Chavez very much. He’s democratic. If he were authoritarian, he would impose what he thinks to govern. But his desire is to consider the Venezuelan people, and Venezuelan people make democratic decisions. That must be respected. And here we don’t have to be afraid of a referendum. The people can decide the fate of the country.”