In Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez has been granted authority to rule by decree ahead of plans to carry out a broad nationalization program. Venezuelan lawmakers approved the measure in a public ceremony in downtown Caracas.

Congressional Representative Luis Tascon: “What we want is to transfer power to the people and have it so that the people are the owners of that power. They can administer it better than from the formal state.”

Critics immediately condemned the move as a step toward authoritarian rule. A headline in one of Venezuela’s major newspapers read: “Heil Hugo.” Chavez has enjoyed popular support for his plans to nationalize telephone and electric companies, and increase government control over major oil projects.