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Coronel Hugo Chavez say some time ago that he want to change
the national flag if they win the elections. Currently Chavez is
president and in the last elections won 120 of 131 seats in the
Constituant Assembly. We can wait some change in the new
Constitution. Anyone has the proposal of Constitution?
Jaume Ollé , 7 September 1999
The popular proposals today are many. The new Government, led
by Lt Cl (R) Hugo Chavez (an ardent Bolivar fan), has proposed
unofficially a flag with eight stars, rescuing the wishes of
Simon Bolivar. But projects vary: not only they change the
positions of the stars from one day to another, but they even
change their minds on the right number of stars
Guillermo Aveledo , 8 September 1999
According to Spanish newspaper "El País" of 22nd
August 1999, page 2, one of Venezuela's new National Constituent
Assembly suggestions for the Constitution being drafted is to add
one more star to the national flag, as homage to what was before
called the Province of Guayana.
Santiago Dotor , 14 September 1999
I have received from the Dutch vexillologist Jos Poels some
informations concerning the possible future flag of Venezuela,
that is the present flag but with one more star. This flag
already existed in the past. It was adopted on 20 November 1817
and lasted until 1830. I got the official text of Bolivar's
decree in Spanish.
Pascal Vagnat , 14 September 1999
Here is the translation of the information that was provided
by Pascal Vagnat :
Having increased (or augmented) the number of Provinces which
make up the Republic of
Venezuela, through the incorporation the Province of Guayana
decreed last
October 15th, I have decreed and I decree :
Single Article (or Article One) - A star shall be added to the
seven stars displayed on the national flag of Venezuela, as
emblem (or symbol) of the Province of Guayana, so that the number
of stars shall hereforth be eight.
Given, signed by my hand, sealed with the provisional State seal
and endorsed by the Office Secretary, at the Government Palace in
Angostura city, on the 20th November 1817.
Santiago Dotor and Gonzalo Guerra , 15
September 1999
As far as I know, the "Province of Guayana" is a
stripe of territory formerly in dispute between Spain and the
United Kingdom, sometimes addressed as the "Spanish
Guayana", and later and up to today between Venezuela and
Guyana. According to different claims and adjudications, the
territory can be considered anything from a very thin strip of
land close to the Venezuelan border up to 2/3rds of Guyana's
territory, with a Venezuelan claim reaching the Essequibo river
line.
Santiago Dotor , 15 September 1999
There were more than one Guyana. There were the French and
English Guyanas. When the strategic importance of keeping the
Guyana as a safe harbor near the caribeean diminushed, Great
Britain conceeded independence to the British Guyana. By this
time, the claim on this territory was been made not by Spain, but
by Venezuela. In most Official Venezuelan maps, it is shown as
"Territorio Esequibo" or "Zona en
reclamación".
As of today, I see no way that Venezuela can regain this land,
and there is little to gain from doing so. Legally, Venezuela may
still claim it, but in the mean time the Venezuelan goverment has
recognized the State of Guyana, and we have bilateral
arrangements, including the sale of Hydroelectric power to this
claimed territory.
Please check out this site for more information, it's the Guyana
side of the story <www.guyanareview.com>.
So, in short, yes, the Province of Guyana is no more. It is now
an independent country simply called Guyana. That change probably
was enough to justify a change in the flag.
Ricardo Kowalski , 15 September 1999
Anyway, even accepting the broadest Venezuelan claims over
Guyanan territory, there would still be about 33% territory left,
so there would be four Guayanas:
Santiago Dotor , 15 September 1999
Well, in fact Venezualan Guayana does still exist, and it's
named the state of Bolivar. At the time of the declaration of
Angostura (renamed 1864 Ciudad Bolivar) Simon Bolivar had a
grandiose scheme for the Province of Guyana, where Alexander von
Humboldt had just found vast mineral richess. He planned the
South American capital there (Ciudad Guyana) and connections from
there through the Amazone region, etc. That scheme never became a
reality; neither was it completely forgotten. Two aims are still
on the agenda: 1. Development of Venezuelan Guyana, that is the
state of Bolivar (possibly already renamed (or part of it), hence
possibly the extra star) with as its center the new town, founded
1961 as Ciudad Guayana, renamed Santo Tome de Guayana, planned to
be a metropolis of over a million inhabitants, with (1980)
250.000 inhabitants. It is now the capital of Bolivar state (and
as eccentric lying as Ciudad Bolivar; it might become the new
capital of Venezuela, in which case it would be quite central).
2. Claims to large parts of the independent state of Guyana (see
above), first claimed by the independent state of Venezuela in
the second part of the 19th century. This claim has been on the
diplomatic table for some 140 years now and concerns about
135.000 sq. km, that is c. 62 % of Guyana.
Sources:
Merriam-Webster New Geographical Dictionary, 1988
Tudyka: 'Confilcthaarden in de Derde Wereld', 1985
Kramers 'Aardrijkskundig Woordenboek', 1883
The 1980 South American Handbook
Jarig Bakker , 15 September 1999
.In fact Venezuela has a claim that covers almost 2/3rds of
Guyana, although I dont think they control any of it.
Antonio Martins , 16 September 1999
Here is some more information on the Venezuelan claims on
Guyana's territory:
"From 1682, Catalan Capuchin monks established foundations
in Guayana [west of the Essequibo river] which strengthened the
Spanish conquest of the area. (...) In 1790 the Dutch-founded
Stabrock was taken by the British and became nowadays'
Georgetown. Along the 17th century, (...) the British established
themselves on the Lower Oiapoque (Leigh Expedition); but by the
end of the 17th century only the Dutch colonies stood [ie. not
the British or French ones].
"A [Spanish] province of Guayana existed as part of the
viceroyalty of the new Kingdom of Granada from 1732 to 1763. From
that date on it belonged to the Captaincy-General of Venezuela,
and after this country's independence it became the [federal]
state of Guayana (...).
"In 1835 Schomburgk, a German naturalist, at the request of
the British government, marked the limits of its colony in
Guayana: the frontier with Venezuela was established in the
Essequibo river. According to Venezuela, the British took
territories outside the Schomburgk line between 1835 and 1897. By
the end of the 19th century, Venezuela demanded from Great
Britain more than 62000 km2 of its Guayana colony.
"In 1895 the situation grew tense and the USA forced an
arbitration: an international commission (British, Americans and
Russians: Paris 1899) gave the larger part of the disputed area
to Great Britain, drawing the frontier which nowadays Guyana
considers correct but Venezuela opposes. A 1970 treaty between
Venezuela and Guyana reconsidered [=accepted?] the Paris
frontier."
Source: "Enciclopedia Larousse", Madrid 1981
Santiago Dotor , 16 September 1999
More than half of Guyana's (former British Guyana) teritory is
claimed by Venezuela (as a matter of fact, it is legally
determined that all venezuelan maps should draw stripes over the
reclamation zone, wich gives Venezuela a second "leg").
Guillermo Aveledo , 17 September 1999
A ten-star proposal is being discussed by the Constitutional
Assembly, but it has not catched on
Guillermo Aveledo , 24 September 1999
A photograph show a meeting
of the Constitutional Commision of our Constitutional Assembly
(which is drafting a new Consitution). It appeared on the first
page of one of our daily papers, "EL UNIVERSAL". The
caption read as follows:
"PLENARY SESSIONS TO START OCTOBER 14th:
The Constitutional Commision, presided by Hermann Escarra [the
man at the left end of the picture] has agreed on the discussion
proccess, either articly by article or in blocks, should be
determined by the Assembly. The full project [of the new
Constitution] should be ready for the next 12th of Ocotber,
including the eight star on the flag, which has served as the
background for the talks among the Assembly men"
The eight-stars-flag is supposed to be Bolivar's flag (he added
the 8th star in 1817, after Guayana was liberated; the first
seven stars represent, and are an homage to, the seven provinces
which in 1810 declared their independance for Spain). However,
Simon Bolivar (our founding father) merely modified the flag
designed by the Cariaco Congresillo, de facto acknowledging the
previous design.
Beyond that, it wasn't needed to undergo Constitutional changes
to modify the flag: the 1961 Constitution (current, but de facto
suspended by the Assembly), states as follows:
"ARTICLE 5th: The National flag, with the colours yellow,
blue and red; the
National anthem, "Glory to the brave People", and the
Coat of Arms of the
Republic are the symbols of the Fatherland. Law will determin its
carachteristics and rule its use.
Guillermo Aveledo , 30 September 1999
According to Reuters (October 21), the Constitutional Assembly
of Veenzuela has started to discuss the President Chavez's
proposal of the new constitution. Two articles - intriguing for
us - were rejected: new name of the country (The Bolivarian
Republic of Venezuela) and new 8-star flag.
Jan Zrzavy , 21 October 1999
Adding a star to the current design does not lead to the
november 1817 design, as that had the stars in the yellow.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 12 November 2001
Project of Venezuelan Flag, end of 20th Century: At the
request of some sectors of the Bolivar State, were materialized
and hoisted arbitrarily on national territory under the
administration of the Governor Andres Velasquez. Soon, as a
result of the deliberations of the Constituent Assembly in 1999,
one became to retake the project without higher consequences. The
argument that sustains this flag is, according to our modest
point of view, nonexistent: the Province of Guayana was annexed
on 1817 to the patriotic cause and it did not sign the Act of
Independence of Venezuela in 1811. Image is a reconstruction.
Raul Orta, 7 June 2002
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>.
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
From <www.asambleanacional.gov.ve>:
LA ASAMBLEA NACIONAL
DE LA REPÚBLICA BOLIVARIANA DE VENEZUELA
la siguiente,
Capítulo I
Artículo 1. La Bandera Nacional, el Himno Nacional y el Escudo de Armas de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela son los símbolos de la Patria y deben ser venerados por todos los venezolanos y venezolanas, y respetados por los ciudadanos y ciudadanas de los demás países.
Artículo 2. Salvo lo dispuesto en leyes y reglamentos especiales, al ser izada o arriada la Bandera Nacional, al paso de ésta, o al ser interpretado el Himno Nacional en actos oficiales o públicos, toda persona debe estar de pie, inmóvil y descubierta la cabeza.
Artículo 3. La Bandera Nacional se inspira en la que adoptó el Congreso de la República en 1811. Está formada por los colores amarillo, azul y rojo, en franjas unidas, iguales y horizontales en el orden que queda expresado, de superior a inferior y, en el medio del azul, ocho estrellas blancas de cinco puntas, colocadas en arco de círculo con la convexidad hacia arriba. La Bandera Nacional que usen la Presidencia de la República y la Fuerza Armada Nacional, así como la que se enarbole en los edificios públicos nacionales, estadales y municipales, deberá llevar el Escudo de Armas de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela en el extremo de la franja amarilla cercano al asta. La Bandera Nacional usada por la Marina Mercante sólo llevará las ocho estrellas.
[Article 3. The National Flag is inspired by the flag adopted by the Congress of the Republic in 1811. It consists of the colors yellow, blue and red, in united, equal and horizontal stripes, in the preceding order from top to bottom, and, in the midst of the blue stripe, eight five-pointed white stars placed in an upwardly convex arc of a circle. The National Flag used by the Presidency of the Republic and by the National Armed Forces, as well as those hoisted upon national, state, and municipal public buildings, shall include the Coat of Arms of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela at the edge of the yellow stripe near the hoist. The National Flag used by the Merchant marine shall bear only the eight stars. - Translated by Eugene Ipavec]
Artículo 4. La Bandera Nacional debe enarbolarse:
1.En el Palacio Federal Legislativo durante las sesiones de la Asamblea Nacional y en los edificios donde se reúnan los Consejos Legislativos, mientras estén en sesión.
2. En las oficinas públicas nacionales, estadales y municipales, los días declarados de Fiesta Nacional y las demás fechas en que por resoluciones especiales lo dispongan las autoridades competentes.
3.En los edificios de las embajadas, legaciones, consulados y agencias del país en el exterior, los días de Fiesta Nacional o cuando lo prescriba el protocolo de cada país.
4.En el edificio del Despacho del Presidente de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela, diariamente.
5.En las instalaciones de la Fuerza Armada Nacional, las fortalezas y demás edificios militares, en los casos determinados por las leyes y reglamentos pertinentes.
6.En las naves mercantes venezolanas, en la forma y oportunidad que determinen las leyes y reglamentos sobre navegación
Artículo 5. Los venezolanos y venezolanas, los extranjeros y extranjeras residentes en la República Bolivariana de Venezuela deben enarbolar la Bandera Nacional en sus casas particulares, oficinas y establecimientos, en los días de Fiesta Nacional y en aquellas oportunidades que senalen las autoridades competentes.
En estos casos, así como en los días de sus fiestas patrióticas, los extranjeros y extranjeras residentes en la República Bolivariana de Venezuela, podrán también enarbolar la bandera de su nacionalidad, junto con la de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela, correspondiendo a esta última el puesto de honor, o sea, el de la derecha extrema del sitio donde se enarbole.
Artículo 6. Todo venezolano o venezolana, extranjero o extranjera podrá hacer uso de la Bandera Nacional diariamente, siendo obligatorio su uso en aquellos días y condiciones senalados en esta Ley y su Reglamento.
Artículo 7. En desfiles y otros actos protocolares donde vaya la Bandera Nacional en companía de otras, ésta deberá estar colocada en sitio de honor, en el centro si son impares, y a la extrema derecha si son pares.
Artículo 8.El Escudo de Armas de la República Bolivariana de
Venezuela llevará en su campo los colores de la Bandera Nacional
en tres cuarteles:
El cuartel de la izquierda de quien observa será rojo y
contendrá la figura de un manojo de mieses, con tantas espigas
como estados tenga la República Bolivariana de Venezuela, como
símbolo de la unión y de la riqueza de la Nación.
El cuartel de la derecha de quien observa será amarillo y como emblema del triunfo figurarán en él una espada, una lanza, un arco y una flecha dentro de un carcaj, un machete y dos banderas nacionales entrelazadas por una corona de laurel.
El tercer cuartel será azul, ocupará toda la parte inferior del Escudo de Armas y en él figurará un caballo blanco indómito, galopando hacia la izquierda de quien observa y mirando hacia delante, emblema de la independencia y de la libertad; adoptándose para tal efecto la figura del caballo contenido en el Escudo de la Federación, de fecha 29 de julio de 1863.
El Escudo de Armas tendrá por timbre, como símbolo de la abundancia, las figuras de dos cornucopias entrelazadas en la parte media, dispuestas horizontalmente, llenas de frutos y flores tropicales y en sus partes laterales las figuras de una rama de olivo a la izquierda de quien observa y de una palma a la derecha de quien observa, atadas por la parte inferior del Escudo de Armas con una cinta con el tricolor nacional. En la franja azul de la cinta se pondrán las siguientes inscripciones en letras de oro: a la izquierda de quien observa “19 de Abril de 1810", "Independencia", a la derecha de quien observa, "20 de Febrero de 1859", "Federación", y en el centro "República Bolivariana de Venezuela".
Artículo 9.El Escudo de Armas deberá colocarse en puesto de honor en todas las oficinas públicas nacionales, estadales y municipales, y en las instalaciones de la Fuerza Armada Nacional.
Artículo 10.El Escudo de Armas de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela se usará en la correspondencia y publicaciones oficiales de los Poderes Públicos Nacionales, Estadales y Municipales y en los demás casos en que lo especifique el Reglamento de esta Ley.
Artículo 11.El Himno Nacional de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela es el canto patriótico conocido con el nombre tradicional de "Gloria al Bravo Pueblo".
Artículo 12.El Himno Nacional deberá ser interpretado en las siguientes ocasiones:
l.Para tributar honores a la Bandera Nacional.
2.Para rendir homenaje al Presidente de la República.
3.En los actos oficiales de solemnidad.
4.En los actos públicos que se lleven a efecto en los estados de la República para la conmemoración de las fechas históricas de la Patria.
5.En los casos que prevean otras leyes de la República.
6.En aquellos actos que determine el Reglamento de la presente Ley.
Artículo 13. Todo venezolano o venezolana, extranjero o extranjera podrá interpretar el Himno Nacional diariamente, siendo obligatoria su entonación en aquellos días y condiciones senalados en esta Ley y su Reglamento.
Capítulo V
Artículo 14.Quienes no cumplan con las disposiciones contempladas en el artículo 4 de esta Ley, serán sancionados con multa de cinco unidades tributarias (5 U.T.) a diez unidades tributarias (10 U.T.).
Artículo 15. Quienes no cumplan con las disposiciones contempladas en el artículo 5 de esta Ley, serán sancionados con multas de cinco unidades tributarias (5 U.T.) a diez unidades tributarias (10 U.T.).
Artículo 16. Quienes no cumplan con las disposiciones contempladas en los artículos 8 y 9 de esta Ley, serán sancionados con multas de diez unidades tributarias (10 U.T.) a veinte unidades tributarias (20 U.T.).
Artículo 17. El que de cualquier manera y de forma premeditada destruya, irrespete o dé uso indebido a los Símbolos Patrios, será sancionado de la manera siguiente:
El Reglamento de esta Ley fijará las condiciones de uso y la forma en que deben respetarse los Símbolos Patrios.
Disposiciones Transitorias
Primera. Los Poderes Públicos Nacionales, Estadales y Municipales deberán adecuar a las disposiciones de la presente Ley, de manera progresiva y en la medida en la cual se agoten las existencias, la correspondencia y publicaciones oficiales que utilizan los Símbolos Patrios de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela en un plazo máximo de cinco anos.
Segunda. Mantendrán plena validez y vigencia las especies monetarias, los sellos, membretes y especies fiscales que se encuentren en circulación al momento de entrada en vigencia de la presente Ley, cuyos estampados y disenos se ajusten a los parámetros establecidos en la Ley de Bandera, Escudo e Himno Nacionales, sancionada en fecha 10 de febrero de 1954 y publicada en la Gaceta Oficial de la República de Venezuela Ns 24.371 de fecha 17 de febrero de 1954, hasta tanto las mismas no sean retiradas de circulación o sustituidas por la autoridad competente.
Tercera. El Banco Central de Venezuela en consideración a la necesidad de efectuar las adecuaciones necesarias a sus sistemas técnicos de producción de especies monetarias podrá poner en circulación nuevas especies monetarias con el Escudo de Armas cuyos disenos se correspondan con los parámetros establecidos en la Ley de Bandera, Escudo e Himno Nacionales, sancionada en fecha 10 de febrero de 1954 y publicada en la Gaceta Oficial de la República de Venezuela Ns 24.371 de fecha 17 de febrero de 1954, hasta por un período de cinco anos contados a partir de la entrada en vigencia de la presente Ley.
Cuarta. El Ejecutivo Nacional, a través del Ministerio del Interior y Justicia, queda autorizado para reglamentar la forma, dimensiones y usos de todos los Símbolos Patrios, Bandera Nacional, Escudo de Armas e Himno Nacional, por parte de las instituciones públicas, privadas y el pueblo en general; así como también la posición, tamano y jerarquía que, según el protocolo, debe tener la Bandera Nacional cuando haya otras banderas presentes. Igualmente reglamentará las formas, dimensiones y usos que tendrán los estandartes, emblemas e insignias que lleven los colores de la Bandera Nacional, así como cualquier otro uso de ellos en condecoraciones e insignias. Este Reglamento deberá ser dictado dentro de los seis meses siguientes a la publicación de esta Ley en la Gaceta Oficial de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela.
Quinta. Las banderas, estandartes, emblemas e insignias de la Fuerza Armada Nacional se regirán, en cuanto a forma, usos y dimensiones, por las leyes y reglamentos militares. Una vez publicada en la Gaceta Oficial de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela la presente Ley, las leyes y reglamentos militares deberán adecuarse a los cambios.
Sexta. Se mantendrán los Escudos de Armas existentes en aquellos edificios declarados monumentos histórico-artísticos. Igualmente se mantendrán en aquellos monumentos, edificios o construcciones de cuya ornamentación formen parte sustancial o cuya estructura pudiera quedar danada al efectuar su separación.
Séptima. De conformidad con la nueva representación de los Símbolos Patrios, los estados y municipios de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela que mantengan en su simbología elementos de los símbolos nacionales, dispondrán de cinco anos para adecuar sus emblemas de acuerdo con lo establecido en la presente Ley.
Única. Se deroga la Ley de Bandera, Escudo e Himno Nacionales, sancionada en fecha 10 de febrero de 1954 y publicada en la Gaceta Oficial de la República de Venezuela Ns 24.371 de fecha 17 de febrero de 1954.
Disposición Final
Única. Esta Ley entrará en vigencia el día de su publicación en la Gaceta Oficial de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela.
Dada, firmada y sellada en el Palacio Federal Legislativo, sede de la Asamblea Nacional, en Caracas a los sietedías del mes de marzo de dos mil seis. Ano 195s de la Independencia y 147s de la Federación.
NICOLÁS MADURO MOROS
Presidente
DESIRÉE SANTOS AMARAL
Primera Vicepresidente
ROBERTO HERNÁNDEZ
Segunda Vicepresidente
IVÁN ZERPA GUERRERO
Secretario
JOSÉ GREGORIO VIANA
Subsecretario
Asamblea Nacional Exp. Ns 423
Gaceta Oficial Número:38.394 del 09 de marzo de 2006
Reported by Jan Oskar Engene, 9 March 2006
