Maduro’s Venezuelan assembly squeezes powers of congress

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela’s pro-government constitutional assembly took over the powers of the opposition-led congress Friday, dramatically escalating a standoff between President Nicolas Maduro and his political foes.

The move triggered further international condemnation from the dozens of countries that have already criticized the creation of the assembly as an undemocratic power grab by Maduro.

Assembly delegates approved a decree giving them the authority to pass legislation to guarantee the peace, sovereignty and economic well-being of Venezuelans in the face of what they consider machinations and sabotage by Maduro’s opponents.

While the decree does not explicitly dissolve congress, it virtually nullifies its already-enfeebled powers. One socialist party leader said for lawmakers to continue meeting in the neoclassical building that has been the parliament’s home for decades they would need to seek permission from the constitutional assembly.

“We will teach them a historic lesson,” constitutional assembly President Delcy Rodriguez said.

Opposition lawmakers reacted defiantly, calling on Venezuelans and foreign diplomats to join them for a special legislative session Saturday in which they will repudiate the ruling party’s latest effort to monopolize power.

Government opponents had been warning that the assembly would move to squash dissent following an election for its members last month that was boycotted by the opposition and criticized by many foreign governments.