In April 2006 the Government of Venezuela passed The Law of Communal Councils (consejos comunales) which empowers local citizens to form neighbourhood-based elected councils that initiate and oversee local policies and projects towards community development. Many Communal Councils became colectivos after they were armed by the Venezuelan government. Over 19,500 councils were registered throughout the country and billions of dollars have been distributed to support their efforts by the Bolivarian government.