The political process of change in Venezuela undertook the challenge of a social and economic transformation in the country. Chavez took office in 1999, but only after having passed the coup in 2002 and the "oil strike" in 2002/2003 was that started an alternative economic policy, increasing the promotion of cooperatives and introducing co-management models. The economy that is to be strengthened has been called in different ways: solidarity, social, popular or communal economy. This paper analyzes the various projects and moments within that intention of promoting cooperativism, achievements and difficulties and tensions that occur between the traditional state structure and new self-management in construction.