Maduro pushes constitutional reform to reshape Venezuela's governance

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has initiated a constitutional reform aimed at adapting the 1999 Constitution to contemporary needs and advancing a new democratic state. The proposed changes include the introduction of communal power as a new level of government and an emphasis on participatory democracy. Maduro's reform package, which includes a review of at least 80 articles, also seeks to impose harsher penalties on individuals perceived as threats to the government. This initiative follows allegations of election irregularities in the recent presidential elections, with Maduro's legitimacy being challenged internationally. The reform is expected to undergo public consultations if approved by two-thirds of lawmakers, echoing previous attempts by Hugo Chávez to alter the constitution. Maduro's push is characterized by a goal to reshape territorial divisions and diversify the economy, reflecting the government's ongoing struggle for authority amidst opposition claims of electoral fraud.