Venezuela: Amidst Protests, Chavez Expands His Powers and Curbs the Media

On Thursday, Venezuela’s fledgling student movement held mass protests in Caracas. Amidst the demonstrations, the real story was muffled: the Bolivarian Revolution usurped some more power from the country’s people.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez managed to breeze some more "reforms" through the Congress, controlled by his supporters, which now gives him power to rule by decree for 18 months. The sudden need? From 4 January, the Congress will have a substantial number of opposition members who won’t allow quick passage of Chavez's socialist reforms.

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