Article 77 of the constitution states that marriage is a union between a man and a woman. It also limits de facto unions to opposite-sex couples only. Article 77 of the Constitution reads as follows: «Marriage between a man a woman, which is based on free consent and absolute equality of rights and obligations of the spouses, is protected. A stable de facto union between a man and a woman which meets the requirements established by law shall have the same effects as marriage.» only. Article 77 of the Constitution reads as follows: «Marriage between a man a woman, which is based on free consent and absolute equality of rights and obligations of the spouses, is protected. A stable de facto union between a man and a woman which meets the requirements established by law shall have the same effects as marriage.» Efforts to legalize marriage equality or civil unions in the legislatures have come and gone, with symbolic marriages being recognized in one city. These marriages were criticized as being expensive by LGBT activists, providing nothing. Some indigenous two spirit individuals are recognized by the Warao people, known as tida wena. They participated in two-spirit marriages. The relative comfort these individuals enjoyed for centuries were shattered at the beginning of Spanish settlement and prevailing norms have changed.

Article 77 of the constitution states that marriage is a union between a man and a woman. There are no specific penalty related to same sex cohabitation however. It also limits de facto unions to opposite-sex couples only. Article 77 of the Constitution reads as follows: «Marriage between a man a woman, which is based on free consent and absolute equality of rights and obligations of the spouses, is protected. A stable de facto union between a man and a woman which meets the requirements established by law shall have the same effects as marriage.»