A package of 69 amendments to Venezuela’s constitution proposed by president Hugo Chávez and his supporters failed in a December 2 referendum, with 51 percent voting against. The wide-ranging proposals included changes to the country’s political, territorial, and military organization; laws that increase executive powers such as bringing the Central Bank under direct presidential control; and other measures like bringing self-employed workers under the state social security system. Total voter turnout was 56 percent, with some 3 million who voted in last year’s presidential election staying away from the polls. Above, residents of Petare, a working-class neighborhood in Caracas, line up to vote.

—DOUG NELSON