[1] The union federation has been a consistent and key opponent of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

Although the Supreme Court refused to certify the results, the winner Carlos Ortega assumed the presidency.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) condemned Chávez's interference in the affairs of free trade unions.

In 2002 and 2003, the CTV received funding from the United States' National Endowment for Democracy via the American Center for International Labor Solidarity.

In 2003, a new union federation, the Unión Nacional de Trabajadores de Venezuela (UNT, National Union of Workers) was started by people in the labor movement who supported Chávez.