Chávez won the 1998 election, and departed from his prepared words during the usual presidential oath. Instead, the New York Times reported, "trembling as he took his oath," he said, "I swear over this moribund Constitution that I will press necessary democratic transformations.''

In 1999, Chávez took the unusual step of calling for a public referendum on constitutional reforms that would allow him to convene a constituent assembly -- a step he saw as critical for breaking what he saw as the stranglehold the two main parties in Venezuela had on power. The referendum was an enormous success for the country's new leader, with 88 percent of voters supporting his proposal.

Above, Chávez kisses the hand of a supporter as he campaigns for the reforms in December 1999.

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