Venezuela assembly picks volatile leader

Maduro defender Rodriguez heads group to craft new constitution

Venezuela’s newly convened and widely reviled assembly that will rewrite the constitution selected as its leader Delcy Rodriguez, a former foreign minister and fiery ally of President Nicolas Maduro.

Defying calls from Pope Francis and countries around the world as well as the threat of expanded U.S. sanctions, the body met for the first time in a hall across a courtyard from the Caracas building used by the opposition-controlled National Assembly.

Fears of violent clashes had emerged in the days leading up to the initial meeting, but the event was largely peaceful even as the opposition planned to march in protest.

“I swear to defend the homeland from the imperial aggression and the fascist right wing that has spread its hate and intolerance against the country,” Rodriguez said as she accepted the post.

As foreign minister, she was a staunch critic of regional efforts to solve the country’s crisis, making her name with angry rants against the U.S. and the Organization of American States.

With Venezuela’s economy in tatters and its society torn apart, Maduro has promised the so-called constituyente would bring about “justice and peace,” but the socialist autocrat has been vague about his exact agenda.

Rodriguez said the assembly would begin its work in earnest Saturday. The body supersedes the country’s other democratic institutions, and critics say it is meant to cement Maduro’s

regime.

The election for the assembly Rodriguez will head occurred amid months of anti-government protests that have left more than 110 dead.

The vote was derided by the opposition as fraudulent after the government said more than 8 million people participated. Private exit polling put actual turnout at less than half that, and the company that provides voting machines and election software said the results were overstated by at least 1 million votes.

On Monday, the Trump administration sanctioned Maduro and froze any assets he might have under U.S. jurisdiction.

It has promised that it is considering other options — including possible broader sanctions on the country’s oil industry.

Ariana Cubillos / Associated Press The president of Venezuela’s Constituent Assembly, Delcy Rodriguez, leads the newly sworn-in members as they celebrate on Friday.