Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has been handed a narrow loss in a controversial referendum on dozens of proposed changes to the constitution. Chavez had backed sixty-nine measures, including eliminating presidential term limits, creating forms of communal property, and cutting the workday from eight hours to six. But in a turnout of more than ten million people, 51 percent voted against the proposals versus 49 percent in favor. Addressing supporters in Caracas, Chavez conceded defeat by referencing his failed attempt to overthrow Venezuela’s government in 1992.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez: “I congratulate my adversaries for their victory. We are made for a long battle. One can say here, now something that came from my soul fifteen years, ten months, less one day. It was noon on the 4th of February, 1992. For now, we couldn’t do it.”

Turnout was lower than expected at 55 percent. It was Chavez’s first electoral loss since winning the presidency seven years ago. Tensions with the Bush administration increased in the lead-up to the vote. On Saturday, Chavez threatened to cut oil supplies to the US over what he called ongoing political interference in Venezuelan affairs.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez: “What I said yesterday was the ratification of a firm decision that we have made. If the government of the United States tried, once again, to intervene or tried to destabilize the government, we would not send any more oil to the United States.”

Last week, the Venezuelan government said it had obtained a secret CIA document plotting a destabilization campaign ahead of the referendum.