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Caribbean-Latin America |
Constituent assembly assumes power to legislate |
2017-08-19 |
[Al Jazeera] Venezuela's new legislative superbody on Friday gave itself the power to pass laws, superseding the opposition-led congress and fuelling criticism by government adversaries that socialist President Nicolas Maduro is consolidating a dictatorship. Delcy Rodriguez, a Maduro ally and president of the constituent assembly, insisted the move did not imply a dissolution of the congress. "Those lazy bums have to work. What we are doing is telling them: 'Gentlemen, we are not going to let you take a holiday'," Rodriguez said in a reference to opposition politicians. South American trade bloc Mercosur condemned the assembly for usurping congress's responsibilities, according to a statement released by Brazil's Foreign Ministry. |
Posted by:Fred |