Venezuela takes over legislative powers from opposition-led congress

Venezuela’s newly-established National Constituent Assembly (NCA) has taken over legislative powers from the opposition-led congress amid rising tensions between President Nicolas Maduro and his US-backed political foes.

The assembly delegates unanimously adopted a decree on Friday, authorizing it to “take over functions to legislate on matters directly concerned with ensuring peace, security, sovereignty, the socio-economic and financial systems, state assets and upholding Venezuelans’ rights.”

 “All the organs of public power are subordinate to the National Constituent Assembly,” the decree added.

The body’s 545 members were elected on July 30 in a vote marred by opposition-led violence and allegations of fraud.

While the decree does not openly dissolve the congress, it effectively invalidates the legislature’s already-weakened powers.

One socialist party leader said for lawmakers to continue meeting in the congressional building, they would need to seek permission from the NCA.

“We will teach them a historic lesson,” NCA President Delcy Rodriguez said as delegates broke into loud applause while voting for the measure.

“We will not permit any more diverting of power” by the opposition, added Rodriguez, who formerly served as Maduro’s foreign minister. “The constituent assembly is here to impose order.”

Venezuela’s opposition leaders, however, insist that the new constituent assembly is a ploy by Maduro to tighten his grip on power.

The opposition-led National Assembly rejected the decree, stating on its official Twitter account that “the NCA is null and its acts are illegal and unconstitutional.”

SS