Decentralization in Venezuela: Administrative Regions & Reforms

Decentralization in Venezuela: Administrative Regions

As a result of investigations and work, administrative regions were created by executive decree number 72, dated June 11, 1969. Eight regions were initially created. Later reformulations and new divisions occurred during the administrations of Carlos Andres Perez. The latter increased the number of entities to 16 with the creation of the sub-region south and west of Tachira, Páez Municipality of Apure state.

The creation of administrative regions aimed at decentralization. Therefore, the most viable approach for decentralization was the regionalization policy. Without it, progress would stagnate. This allowed for more practical government activities, whether at work or in domestic attention to the efforts and problems of the public.

The Beginning of Decentralization in the 1990s

The beginning of the decentralization process of the Venezuelan state during the decade of the 90s is the starting point for a great change in the constitutional order of the country. After more than a century of centralization, doors opened to bring the process to the public. This included directly electing state governors and creating the figure of the mayor. It also involved redistributing powers between different levels of government using the law of limitation and decentralization of power transfer.

Decentralization as a Tool for Democracy

Decentralization should be understood as a process of party realignment and territorial redistribution of power. As such, it is a tool to improve democracy. It pursues models of democratic states that are decentralized and participatory.

Positive Balance of Decentralization (1989-1998)

In the period from 1989 to 1998, the balance of decentralization was positive. From a political standpoint, administrative autonomy and jurisdiction of the states and municipalities were formed. There was a new legitimate, emerging organizational leadership, and a change in the psychosocial pattern of governors and mayors. Success was eagerly sought.