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Chavez vows to continue bid to lift two-term limit

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaks at the San Carlos barracks in Caracas, Venezuela, on Saturday. PHOTO: EPA

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he was resuming his quest for the removal of presidential term limits that was thwarted last month when he lost a referendum on constitutional reform that would have lifted the two-term limit on his office.

"You know the people have the possibility of launching a political referendum activity. It's up to you. I already played and lost," Chavez said on Saturday in an inaugural speech for his United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).

Chavez aims at getting 15 percent of voters to sign a petition for a new referendum on constitutional reform, as allowed for in the Constitution.

Chavez, 53, who was elected in 1998 and reelected in 2000 and 2006 -- after a new constitution drawn up in 1999 renamed the country and allowed for a two-term presidency, said that, in any case, he planned to remain in office until February 2013.

Criticized for steering Venezuela toward a Cuba-style dictatorship, Chavez pointed out that a call for a referendum for a constitutional amendment allowing indefinite re-election could spring from either the people themselves or the National Assembly, "which can also take the initiative."

Chavez, stung by the referendum defeat last month, also warned hundreds of red-clad activists on Saturday they risked losing important states and cities in year-end elections.

Chavez told delegates from across the oil-producing South American country that the opposition could win refinery towns and border states in state and local elections in November.

"It's urgent that we consolidate the party." Chavez said, speaking in front of a large red socialist star. "We are obliged to win these elections and win them well."

Chavez still enjoys high approval ratings but said losses in November would damage his government and the reforms he calls a revolution.

"It is a threat against the revolution, something that threatens its permanence, its continuation," Chavez said.

The PSUV was rushed into existence last year to replace a loose coalition of parties sympathetic to the president. It has many internal divisions.

Chavez, a fierce critic of the US who before last month had never lost a major vote, was beaten by a revitalized opposition and a student movement opposed to his reform plans.

Most state governors and mayors in the South American country are Chavez allies, but he is worried the opposition could win back power in major oil-producing states.

In 2002, the opposition briefly ousted Chavez in a coup and later shut much of the oil industry in another bid to push him out.

After the Dec. 2 referendum was rejected by 50.7 percent of the vote, Chavez promised not to push for constitutional reform through the back door of the legislature.

On Friday, however, Chavez suggested to lawmakers convening a "confidence vote" referendum on his current mandate -- putting his office on the line -- but linked to a constitutional amendment that, if approved, would allow him indefinite re-election.

"Since I have the power to call a referendum, if the opposition doesn't do it, I will," Chavez said, apparently breaking his vow.

The referendum he would propose, he added, would pose "two questions: `Do you agree that Hugo Chavez should continue as president?' and concurrently `Do you agree to a small constitutional amendment to allow indefinite re-election?'"

Chavez would effectively put his office on the line, counting that his popularity will lead Venezuelans to accept indefinite presidential re-election than see him step down.
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