Chávez suggests constitutional reform for welfare

In reply to the Mission Law proposed by opposition candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski to grant equal access to welfare programs, Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez has requested National Assembly (AN) Speaker Diosdado Cabello to bolster a reform aimed at including such programs in the Constitution.

"In light of bourgeoisie's demagogy and brazenness, it occurred to me, Diosdado (...) and the National Assembly could take the initiative of an amendment to include social missions (welfare programs) in the Constitution," the president suggested during a telephone conversation with Cabello. The deputy headed, as usual, the Monday press conference of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (Psuv), aired on state-run TV channel Venezolana de Televisión (VTV).

"Any event that may hamper this revolutionary process would try to dismantle all that (welfare programs known as missions." However, he warned "it will not be easy."