National Assembly president Cilia Flores accused Monday former Minister of Defense Raúl Baduel of "betraying the people" for speaking up against the changes to the Constitution proposed by President Hugo Chávez.

"A big treason by him (Baduel) is being consummated against the people. He does it because of selfishness, envy and personal ambition," said Flores.

The general claimed that the intended amendment to the constitution was a "coup" and asked to vote against it during a referendum that would be held next December 2nd.

"Baduel went to the other side of the sidewalk, with the most radical arguments characteristic of these sectors; he is a traitor, and people here repudiate traitors, even more if he was a person who was seen besides President Chávez," Flores told reporters.

Earlier, during a press conference held on Monday, Baduel complained that Chávez and the National Assembly had used the draft constitutional reform to stage a "coup" and establish a socialist system in Venezuela.