The United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns Monday said the defeat of President Hugo Chávez's proposed constitutional reform is a victory for the Venezuelans who want to preserve democracy and stop the ruler from gaining unrestricted powers.

Venezuelans in a close vote Sunday rejected the changes to the Constitution advanced by Chávez, including his indefinite reelection and the implementation of a socialist system in Venezuela. Following this setback, Chávez cannot run for a fourth consecutive presidential term in 2012.

"I must say this was positive news. This is viewed as a victory of Venezuelan citizens," Burns told reporters in Singapore, as quoted by AP.