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This article reviews indigenist politics in Venezuela, since its beginnings to the present day. The first period was that of an integrative aim, paying little attention to the human potential of aboriginal groups. In the 1970s, the Declaración de Barbados, which advocated an “Anthropology of Liberation”, changed the paradigm. The last period correspond to the “chavismo”. In the Bolivarian Constitution of 1999 forced by Hugo Chávez, who was elected president in 1998, a new “State Religion” is established which gives the natives an important place. Chavez made the indigenous element a component of his revolution to provide a foundation for the Indio-Venezuelan socialism. He guaranteed to indigenous the possession of their lands and habitats, but for lack of political will, these promises have not been kept.