67.3% of Venezuelans approve of Hugo Chavez’s record as president, according to a survey conducted by the Venezuelan Institute of Statistics (Ivad) and published by the daily newspaper Panorama.

The results also show that 54.3% of Venezuelans believe the situation in the country has improved. This figure is higher than last year’s result of 41%.

Although 53.7% of Venezuelans regard food shortages as a serious problem, 53% of those surveyed indicated that they believe the situation will improve.

Meanwhile, insecurity remains the single biggest problem for 72.1% of Venezuelans, despite the fact that this concern has decreased by 9.3% from last year’s figure of 81.4%.

The missions continue to receive the highest approval ratings, with 73.1% in favour, against 15% opposed.

The survey was conducted nation wide from the 8th to the 20th of Februray 2008 and has an accuracy rating of 90%.

Source: ABN

Translation by Owen Richards