Carmona Decree - Aftermath

Aftermath

The Act was the catalyst that allowed the Armed Forces to justify abandoning the newly formed government, returning Chávez to power on 13 April.

After Chávez was re-instated as president, controversy regarding those that signed The Act remained. "Ladies and Gentlemen, in order for this movement for all of democratic society to go forward, at the exit of this auditorium we ask that you sign the decree as adherence to this process."

According to El Nacional, among almost 400 signatures is the signature of María Corina Machado, a pro-democracy advocate and co-founder of Súmate. She denies signing the decree itself, but rather a signature roll. Another notable signee is former Zulia Governor and former presidential candidate, Manuel Rosales, who says his participation was an honest mistake rather than a pre-planned coup like Chávez's.

Referring to The Act, Venezuelan historian and politician Jorge Olavarría said, "what these fellows brought, and may people who hear pardon me but these things have to be said with the crudeness of the situation, what these fellows brought me is a piece of shit, yes totally, if this is going to happen, you have to do these things well, but this was a big mess up, technically and politically ..."