Venezuela assembly assumes more power

CARACAS: The new constitutional assembly assumed even more power in Venezuela by declaring itself as the superior body to all other governmental institutions, including the opposition-controlled congress.

That decree came Tuesday just hours after the assembly delegates took control of a legislative chamber and put up pictures of the late President Hugo Chavez, who installed Venezuela’s socialist system.

Delcy Rodriguez, the head of the ruling socialist party and leader of the body, said the unanimously approved decree prohibits lawmakers in congress from taking any action that would interfere with laws passed by the newly installed constitutional assembly.

“We are not threatening anyone,” said Aristobulo Isturiz, the constitutional assembly’s first vice president.

“We are looking for ways to coexist.”

Leaders of congress, which previously voted not to recognize any of the new super-body’s decrees, said lawmakers would try to meet in the gold-domed legislative palace Wednesday, but there were questions whether security officers guarding the building would let them in.

SOCCER LEGEND MARADONA BACKS MADURO

With President Maduro facing criticism, Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona said he was willing to fight for the embattled leftist regime in Venezuela.

“We are chavistas until death,” Maradona wrote on his official Facebook page, using a term to refer to supporters of late former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

“When Maduro orders, I am dressed as a soldier for a free Venezuela, to fight against the imperialism and those who want to take our flags, which is the most sacred thing we have.

“Long live the revolution!!!” he wrote in a post in English, Spanish and Italian.