Parliamentarians have approved in first session the reform of the Law on Flag, Coat of Arms and National Anthem. The step was taken in connection with a call made by President Hugo Chávez, who within a month referred three times to the need to add one star to the flag and modify the position of the horse in the coat of arms.

It is the first law passed in first session since the beginning of regular meetings last January 5th.

The new article 2 in the rule sets forth, among others, that the national flag to be hoisted in public buildings "will bear the coat of arms on the end side of the yellow stripe close to the pole, and eight, five-tip white stars in the middle of the blue stripe."

As for the rationale for an additional star, they stated: "In the Bolivarian spirit to re-found the Republic, the Liberator's provision to include the eight star in representation of the Guayana province will be taken into consideration." Guayana was freed and joined Venezuela in 1817.

Also, the need to change the position of the horse in the coat of arms was voiced. Under article 9 of the draft submitted by deputies Cilia Flores, Rodolfo Sanz and Angel Rodríguez, "the third quarter shall be blue, occupy the bottom portion in the coat of arms and feature an indomitable, white horse at a gallop leftwards, with its head straight and looking forwards, the emblem of independence and freedom."

The coat of arms "shall be put in a place of honor" in all national, state and municipal public offices and army facilities.

Four historians and university teachers attended the session and agreed on saying that the symbols accompanying the "Bolivarian process, are as important as redrafting of history after reincorporating emblematic figures who were willingly relegated by the elite."