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Hugo Chavez elected for President
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Voters approved new constitution; severe floods, mudslides in the north, killed tens of thousands of people
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Loyal parties to President Chavez made big gains in parliamentary elections, opposition parties boycotted polls, left parliament made up of supporters of the president
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Voters in referendum approved plans to abolish limits on number of terms in office for elected officials; Columbian government, US signed deal on use of Columbia's military bases; President Chavez ordered 15,000 troops to Columbian border, cited increased violence by Colu
