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According to "Agence France-Presse", 20 November
2005, President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez proposed during his
Sunday TV program "Allo President" to modify the
national flag by adding an eight star. This star would be a
tribute to Simon Bolivar and a reference to the Bolivarian
revolution launched by Chavez after his election in 1998. The
seven stars currently shown on the flag recall the seven
provinces which signed the independence act in 1811.
Chavez also proposed to modify the national coat of arms: the
white horse would gallop towards the left of the shield instead
of its right, in order rto symbolize the XXIst century socialism
advocated by Chavez.
The President added that the modifications of the flag and arms
should be decided by the National Assembly after the general
elections scheduled for December.
Source:
www.cyberpresse.ca.
[Retrieved from webarchive.org. Ed.]
Ivan Sache, 25 November 2005
The mass media have reviewed that National Assembly approved
on first discussion the reform of the Law of National Flag, Coat
of Arms and Anthem by means of which would be added eighth star
to National Flag and would change the position of the horse (most
controversial matter) of the National Coat of Arms in addition of
which would be included the legend "Republica
Bolivariana" ("Bolivarian Republic") as a part of
the motto (the tricolor pennants with inscriptions), everything
which takes place as a result of the initiative of president
Chavez.
Raul Orta, 19 January 2006
Maikel Arista-Salado sent a link (<www.el-carabobeno.com>)
with information about the proceeding towards the adoption of a
new flag. It seems that those preceedings were shifted to higher
gear in order to adopt the new flag on the "flag day"
(12 March). It is also seems that the known eight-stars proposal
is not the only one.....
Dov Gutterman, 23 February 2006
"El Nacional", 20 February 2006 (<www.el-nacional.com>),
reports that the new symbols of Venezuela could be adopted in
March. President of the National Assembly Nicolás Maduro says
that the proposal of law modifying the national flag, coat of
arms and anthem could be adopted during the first week of March.
The new law shall then be confirmed by a popular consultation.
Ivan Sache, 26 February 2006
Cilia Flores, President of the Commission for Domestic Policy
of the National Assembly, announced on 1 March 2006 that the
national flag will eight stars will be hoisted on 12 March, the
National Flag Day, following the reform of the Law on the
National Flag, Shield and Anthem. The reform will be submitted to
a big national referendum on 3 and 4 March It is currently
forbidden to use the national flag in public acts like marches
and demonstrations. Once the new Law will be passed, the use of
the national flag in demonstrations will be totally allowed. The
reformed Law shall be presented on 7 March and approved on 9
March. The change in the orientation of the horse on the national
shield will also be prescribed by the Law.
Source: <www.el-nacional.com>
[The title of the article seems erroneous, predicting
12 stars instead of eight!].
Ivan Sache, 3 March 2006
According review B-15 page of Daily "EL NACIONAL" on
its today’s edition (March 8th, 2006), National Assembly
approved yesterday night the reform of the Law of National Flag,
Coat of Arms and Anthem.
Article signed by Maria Jose Mairena indicates among other things
that "during plenary session were some discords as far as
placing ten stars to national flag and on the increase of the
number of ears on the Coat of Arms. Nevertheless, the
modification was sanctioned without changes with practically
unanimous voting and in the middle of strong applause".
It continuing saying that "Since now national flag will
count with one eighth star and the patriot Coat of Arms will have
"an untamed white horse, galloping towards the left of who
observes and looking ahead, emblem of independence and the
freedom".
It adds that "the new legal instrument also establishes
sanctions on tributary units (Tax pattern on Venezuela) so that
the changes can adapt in the time to the economic
realities".
Agreement the reform it was decided that on the middle of blue
stripe will be placed eight five pointed and white stars in arc
of circle with the convexity upwards. With regards to the Coat of
Arms, it also will have twenty-four ears on the first quarter to
represent all the states of the Republic, whereas on the second
quarter will added an arc and an arrow inside a carcaj to
represent the aboriginal natives, and a machete to allude to the
afro-descendents and farmers. The B&W photo, illustrates
the moment when the President of the Commission in charge of the
Reform presents the corresponding proposal.
Raul Orta, 8 March 2006
The bill on the new national symbols of Venezuela passed its
second reading at the National Assembly on 7 March 2006. The
reform includes: - the addition of an eight star to the flag -
the mirroring of the horse on the coat of arms - the inclusion of
24 wheat ears in the first quarter of the shield (instead of 20)
to represent the 24 states constituting Venezuela - the addition
of a machete, an arrow and a bow in the second quarter of the
shield to represent the arms of the natives and of the peoples of
African origin.
Source: Unión Radio <www.unionradio.com.ve>,
7 March 2006.
Ivan Sache, 9 March 2006
The seven stars of the traditional Venezuelan flag stand for
the original 1811 seven provinces (in those times they were
provinces and not states) that started the fight for independence
in the area. To pay homage to these seven provinces, different
designs of seven stars flags have been used in Venezuela
uninterruptedly since 1863. According to the opinion and
ideas of the people that modified the flag, the eight star added
by Chávez government neither represent a present day rise of
Guayana to Province nor any present day event. Again
according to their opinion, the eighth star stands for an eighth
historical province from early 19 Century: the Province of
Guayana.
Francisco Gregoric, 12 March 2006
The "Basler Zeitung" <www.baz.ch>,
writes that the eighth star represents the province of Guayana,
which was conquered in the war of independence. If that's
correct, then this star is rather a late acknowledgement of the
province in the flag than a symbol for the upgrading as a
province. The terms "Guayana" (in Spanish) and
"Guyana" (in English) describe the same geographical
and political regions. More infos about the historical roots of
these terms see <www.guyana.ro>.
Martin Karner, 12 March 2006
Provincia Guayana is now Estado Bolivar, or at least most of
it. According to my records, until 1864, Venezuela has several
administrative-territorial divisions and Guayana as provine
survived till 1864, as a state 1864-1881, and again 1889-1901.
From 1881-1889 was formed Gran Estado de Bolivar, combining two
states Guayana and Apure. In 1901 Estado de Guayana became Estado
Bolivar. So, today's Guyana has nothing with former Guayana.
Valentin Poposki, 12 March 2006
the historical province of Guyana included both large areas
within present Venezuela [Bolívar] and the
claimed territory now within Guyana. So adding the 8th star does
not necessarily have to be interpreted as an irredentist
statement- it could be viewed as merely a move to acknowledge the
historical significance of the areas still in Venezuela.
Ned Smith, 12 March 2006
Here are few media reports about the change of symbols: <www.realcities.com>,
<au.news.yahoo.com>,
<www.sun-sentinel.com>,
<seattletimes.nwsource.com>,
<news.yahoo.com>.
The bill on the new national symbols of Venezuela passed its
second reading at the National Assembly on 7 March 2006. The
reform includes the addition of an eight star to the flag the
mirroring of the horse on the coat of arms the inclusion of 24
wheat ears in the first quarter of the shield (instead of 20) to
represent the 24 states constituting Venezuela the addition of a
machete, an arrow and a bow in the second quarter of the shield
to represent the arms of the natives and of the peoples of
African origin. The congress initially approved the new flag
design in January, and the latest vote confirmed the move. The
yellow, blue and red flag has had seven stars since 1863,
representing the original seven provinces that rose up against
Spain. Chavez suggested the eighth star to represent the early
19th-century eastern province of Guayana, which was initially
loyal to Spain but then joined an independent Venezuela. South
American independence hero Simon Bolivar once proposed a flag
with eight stars in 1817 and it was used for several years.
Chavez has called the eighth star the "Bolivarian
star," like his "Bolivarian Revolution," which he
says is leading the oil-producing country toward socialism.
Evan, 12 March 2006
To see the boundaries for the historical province of Guyana go
to <www.terra.es>.
By comparing with a modern map one can see the historical
province of Guayana included present-day Venezuela south of the
Orinoco River, northern Roraima in Brazil, and the area claimed
in present-day Guyana. Since Venezuela never relinquished its
claims to land in Guyana, it might be argued that they can't be
"resurrected" but whether Chavez is emphasizing them at
present I do not know [I don't believe Venezuela currently claims
northern Roraima, having sold its rights to Brazil in 1903]. In
any case, it can be seen that the eighth star represents at a
minimum over 50% of the current area of Venezuela.
Since we seem to have established what territory the 8th star
represents only this question remains whether Chavez is
reasserting this claim to Guayana Esequibo.
If Chavez is asserting Venezuela's claim, that is not a new
initiative of his- he is only continuing existing Venezuelan
policy. For example, see a CNN
report about the dispute from 1998, before Chavez was
elected.
Ned Smith, 12 and 13 March 2006
I was going by Wikipedia's Venezuela article, which talks
about Guayana Region as being the three states of Bolivar,
Amazonas, and Delta Amacuro. There are long-standing claims on
Guyanan territory (which some in Venezuela might like to consider
as part of Guayana), but it certainly appears that Guayana also
exists within the currently accepted borders of Venezuela.
James Dignan, 13 March 2006
The opposition movement CNR (Comando Nacional de Resistencia)
[National Resistance Command] marched the 12th of March (Flag Day
of Venezuela) flying the 7 stars old Venezuelan flags
and the CNR's leader, Oscar Perez stated that CNR rejects the 8
stars flag because they consider the new flag as a symbol of
authoritarianism and only due to the capricious decision of Hugo
Chavez. They prefer the 7 stars flag that they identify with
freedom and democracy.
There is a photo of the new flag at EL
MUNDO Newspaper.
Santiago Tazón, 13 March 2006
The flag and the Coat of Arms were ammended on March 12, 2006
after the Venezuelan Assembly establishes the addition of an
eight star (to the flag) representing the Province of Guyana
requested by Simon Bolivar during the Congress of Angostura on
February 15, 1819. In this Congress the Ley Fundamental
(Fundamental Law) was issued, establishing the República de
Colombia, known as Gran Colombia
consisting of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama (as part of
Colombia).
The full name of Angostura was Santo Tomé de Guayana de
Angostura del Orinoco, later changed to Ciudad Bolívar in 1846.
The territory claimed by Venezuela is a border dispute with
Guyana considered by Venezuela as Guayana
Esequibo.
E.R., 5 January 2008
Translation from <www.asambleanacional.gov.ve>:
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
OF BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA
Decrees the following,
Law of National flag, National Anthem and Coat of Arms of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Symbols of the Homeland
Article 1. The National flag, the National Anthem and the Coat of Arms of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela are the symbols of the Homeland and shall be venerated by all Venezuelans and respected by citizens of another countries.
Article 2. Except disposed on laws and special regulations, when National Flag be raised or flooded, in front of it, or when National Anthem be interpreted on official or public acts, all person shall be standing, immovable and discovered the head.
Chapter II
National Flag
Article 3.The National flag is inspired on the one adopted by Congress of the Republic on 1811. This is formed by the colors yellow, blue and red, in united, equal and horizontal stripes in the order that is expressed, from superior to inferior and, in the middle of the blue one, eight five pinted and white stars, placed in arc of circle with the convexity upwards. The National flag which uses Presidency of the Republic and National Armed Forces, as well as the one that is raised on national, state and municipal public buildings, shall have the Coat of Arms of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on the end of the yellow strip near the hoist. The National Flag used by the Merchant Marine only will have the eight stars.
Article 4. The National flag shall be raised
1.On Federal Legislative Palace during the sessions of National Assembly and on the buildings where the Legislative Councils have meetings, while it were in session.
2. On national, state and municipal public offices, in the days declared as National Celebration and other dates in which by special resolutions will be established by the competent authorities.
3. On the buildings of embassies, legations, consulates and agencies of the country outside it National holidays and when will be prescribe by the protocol of each country
4. On the building of the Office of the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, daily.
5. On the installations of National Armed Forces, fortresses and other military buildings in the cases determined by the pertinent laws and regulations.
6. On Venezuelan merchant ships in the form and opportunity which determines the navigation laws and regulations.
Article 5. Venezuelans and resident foreigners on Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall raise the National Flag on their particular houses, offices and establishments, on National holidays and those opportunities which indicates the competent authorities. In these cases, as well as on the days of their patriotic celebrations, the resident foreigners on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, will be able to raise also their nationality flag jointly with Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Flag, corresponding to this last one the position of honor, this is, the extreme right of the site where will be raise
Article 6.All Venezuelan or foreigner will be able to make use of the National flag daily, being obligatory it use in those days and conditions indicated in this Law and its Regulation
Article 7. On parades and another protocol acts where National Flag is accompanied by others, this one shall be placed on the honor site, on the center if it are uneven, and on the extreme right if it are even.
Chapter III
Coat of Arms
Article 8. The Coat of Arms of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will have on its field the colors of the National Flag on three quarters: The quarter of the left of who is observes will be red and will contain the figure of a handful of ears, with so many as states have Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, as symbol of the union and the wealth of the Nation. The quarter of the right of who is observes will be yellow and as emblem of triumph will appear there an arc, an arrow, a machete, a sword, a lance, a carcaj and two national flags, interlaced by a laurel crown. The third quarter will be blue, will occupy all inferior part of the Coat of Arms and there will appear an untamed white horse, galloping towards the left of who is observes and watching ahead, emblem of the independence and the freedom. The Shield of Arms will have like crest, as symbol of the abundance, the figures of two cornucopias interlaced on the middle, horizontally disposed, full with tropical fruits and flowers and on it lateral parts the figures of an olive branch to the left of who is observes and of a palm to the right of who is observes, tied on the inferior part of the Coat of Arms with a tape of the national flag. On the blue stripe of the tape will be put the following inscriptions: to the left of who is observes "19 de Abril de 1810" (April 19th, 1810), "Independencia” (“Independence"), to the right of who is observes, “20 de Febrero de 1859 (“February 20th, 1859"), “Federación” ("Federation"), and on the center “República Bolivariana de Venezuela” ("Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela").
Article 9. The Coat of Arms will have to be placed in position of honor on all national, state and municipal public offices, and on the installations of the National Armed Forces
Article 10. The Coat of Arms of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will be used on the correspondence and official publications of National, State and Municipal Public Powers and in other cases which specifies the Regulation of this Law.
National Anthem
Article 11.The National Anthem of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is the patriotic song known with the traditional name of "Gloria al Bravo Pueblo” (Glory to the Brave People”)
Article 12.The National anthem will be interpreted on the following occasions:
1. For tribute honors to the National flag.
2. For homage to the President of the Republic.
3. On official act of solemnity
4. On public acts which be realized on the states of the Republic for commemoration of historical dates of the Homeland.
5. On the cases which will be anticipate by other laws of the Republic
6. On that acts that determines the Regulation of the present Law.
Article 13. All Venezuelan or foreigner will be able to interpret National Anthem daily, being obligatory its intonation in those days and conditions indicated on this Law and its Regulation.
Sanctions
Article 14 Who don’t fulfill the dispositions contemplated on article 4 of this Law, will be sanctioned with fine from five tributary units (5 T.U.) to ten tributary units (10 T.U.).
Article 15. Who don’t fulfill the dispositions contemplated on article 5 of this Law will be sanctioned with fines from five tributary units (5 T.U.) to ten tributary units (10 U.T.).
Article 16.Who don’t fulfill the dispositions contemplated on articles 8 and 9 of this Law will be sanctioned with fines from ten tributary units (10 T.U.) to twenty tributary units (20 T.U.).
Article 17. Who that anyway and with premeditated form destroys, non respect or use illegally the patriot symbols, will be sanctioned on the following way:
From twenty tributary units (20 T.U.) to forty tributary units (40 T.U.) if it were partial or totally destroyed.
From ten tributary units (10 T.U.) to twenty tributary units (20 T.U.) if it were non respected.
From five tributary units (5 T.U.) to ten tributary units (10 T.U.) if it were used illegally.
The Regulation of this Law will fix the conditions of use and the form in which shall be respected the patriot symbols.
Unique. Is derogated the Law of National Flag, Coat of Arms and Anthem, sanctioned on February 10th, 1954 and published on the Official Gazette of the Republic of Venezuela N° 24,371 of date February 17th, 1954
Second. Will maintain total validity and use the monetary species, the fiscal seals, letterheads and tax species which are in circulation at time of the entrance in force of the present Law, whose printings and designs were adjust to parameters established on the Law of National Flag, Coat of Arms and Anthem, sanctioned on February 10th, 1954 and published on the Official Gazette of the Republic of Venezuela N° 24,371 of date February 17th, 1954, until the same ones will not retired of circulation or replaced by the competent authority.
Third. The Central Bank of Venezuela in consideration to the necessity to do the adjustments to its monetary technical systems of production of currency species will be able to put on circulation monetary species with the Coat of Arms whose design correspond with the parameters established Law of National Flag, Coat of Arms and Anthem, sanctioned on February 10th, 1954 and published on the Official Gazette of the Republic of Venezuela N° 24,371 of date February 17th, 1954, until to a period of five years counted from the entrance in force of the present Law.
Fourth. The National Executive, through the Ministry of Interior and Justice, is authorized to regulate the form, dimensions and uses of all patriot symbols, National Flag, Coat of Arms and National Anthem, by part of public, private institutions and the people in general; as well as the position, size and hierarchy that, according to the protocol, shall have National flag when another flags there are other flags. Also it will regulate the forms, dimensions and uses that will have the standards, emblems and ensigns that have the colors of the National flag, as well as any other use of them on decorations and badges. This Regulation will have to be dictated within the six months following the publication of this Law on the Official Gazette of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Fifth. The flags, standards, emblems and badges of National Armed Forces will be governed, as far as form, uses and dimensions, by the laws and military regulations. Once published on the Official Gazette of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela the present Law, the military laws and regulations will have to be adapted to the changes.
Sixth. Will be maintained the Coat of Arms existing on those buildings declared historical-artistic monuments. Also will stay in those monuments, buildings or constructions of whose ornamentation comprises substantial part or whose structure could be damaged by its separation.
Seventh. According to the new representation of the patriot symbols, the states and municipalities of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela which maintains its symbollogy elements of the national symbols, will have five years for adapt its emblems agreement with the established on the present Law.
Final Disposition
Unique. This Law will enter in force the same day of its publication in the Official Gazette of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Given, signed and sealed on the Federal Legislative Palace, seat of the National Assembly, in Caracas to the seven days of the month of March of two thousands six. Year 195° of Independence and 147° of the Federation.
NICOLÁS MADURO MOROS DESIRÉE SANTOS AMARAL
President First Vice-president
ROBERTO HERNÁNDEZ
Second Vice-president
IVÁN ZERPA GUERRERO JOSÉ GREGORIO VIANA
Secretary Sub-secretary
National Assembly Exp. N° 423
Law of Partial Reformation of the Law of National Flag, National Anthem and Coat of Arms of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Published on Official Gazette of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela N° 38,394 of March 9th, 2006
Note: Tributary Units are the parameter for the taxes in Venezuela.
Translated by Raúl Jesús Orta Pardo, 24 March 2006
