San Francisco Chronicle

Legislativ­e foes outline plan to transfer power

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CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela’s opposition-controlled congress has declared President Nicolas Maduro “illegitima­te,” moving a step closer to implementi­ng a plan to challenge the socialist leader by declaring a caretaker government and calling early elections.

A resolution adopted Tuesday accuses Maduro of “usurping” power and says his administra­tion’s acts will no longer carry legal authority. Another resolution seeks to pry the military’s loyalty away from Maduro by offering protection to members of the armed forces who support any transition­al government.

“This is a historic accord,” said National Assembly President Juan Guaido, who in less than two weeks on the job has managed to revitalize the often out-maneuvered opposition.

However, though weakened by Venezuela’s economic collapse, Maduro so far has retained the support of the generals and other government institutio­ns, including the courts, which previously ruled actions by the National Assembly invalid.

In invoking an article of the constituti­on about the transfer of power, lawmakers promised to hold early elections if and when Maduro steps aside, immediatel­y drawing support from foreign capitals.

In Washington, Sen. Marco Rubio, an influentia­l voice on U.S. policy toward Latin America, said it was time for the Trump administra­tion to recognize Guaido as interim president — a title that Guaido has not claimed so far.

Vice President Mike Pence called Guaido and said the U.S. strongly supports his decision to “declare the country’s presidency vacant.”

Tensions in the oil-rich nation have been rising since Maduro took the oath of office Jan. 10 to begin a second, sixyear term that many foreign government­s considered illegitima­te because most popular opposition parties were banned from running in the May presidenti­al election and leading opposition politician­s were jailed or driven into exile.

Maduro has largely ignored congress, arguing that it is outranked by a pro-government constituti­onal assembly.

 ?? Fernando Llano / Associated Press ?? Lawmakers attend a session at the opposition-controlled National Assembly to debate actions against President Nicolas Maduro. A resolution passed, accusing Maduro of “usurping” power.
Fernando Llano / Associated Press Lawmakers attend a session at the opposition-controlled National Assembly to debate actions against President Nicolas Maduro. A resolution passed, accusing Maduro of “usurping” power.

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