The National Assembly approved a measure today granting Maduro the power to rule by decree until December 31 of this year. The measure – called the Ley Habilitante Antiimperialista – gives Maduro the ability to create laws, as opposed to having the laws drafted, debated and passed or rejected by the National Assembly.
The Ley Habilitante technically limits Venezuelan presidents to rule by decree only within the boundaries of a certain issue. In this case, Maduro has been given the power to create any new laws that help him “fight against the empire”. More specifically, Maduro can decree any law he believes will:
- Protect against foreign interference and aggression.
- Protect the people against the actions of foreign powers.
- Strengthen alliances with Caribbean and Latin American countries.
Cabello Officially Hands Maduro Powers
Shortly after the Ley Habilitante was passed, Diosdado Cabello headed a group of PSUV officials who personally handed over the powers to Maduro. The ceremonial gesture took place outside of the National Assembly building.
During the ceremony, Cabello said:
My dear president, I want to hand this over to you, our people, and in the name of the National Assembly deputies (…) my dear colleague, in the name of the homeland, here are all of the special powers so that you can legislate in matters pertaining to sovereignty and the defence of the homeland.
Echoing similar comments made earlier this week, Cabello against suggested that anyone who did not fully support the government was a traitor:
This is the moment to stand with the homeland or with the traitors.
Opposition Raises Questions
During today’s debate, opposition deputy Angel Medina questioned Maduro’s true intentions in seeking the powers to allegedly help maintain peace in Venezuela:
This is a weapon we’re giving Maduro so that he can fight those who think differently. The National Assembly cannot delegate its powers in matters as important as our sovereignty. In fact, we should remove some of the President’s responsibilities (…) and [we] should instead focus on making laws to give power to the people, to solve their great problems.
(…)
You speak of peace, but you’ve been screaming about war for a while. Our political discourse must stop hating and dividing. Only then will we find peace.
Solider Dies During Drills
A soldier was killed today in Apure state during the Escudo Bolivariano drills that kicked off across the country yesterday. Two other people were injured.
The solider, 23 year old Junio Estrada, was inside a vehicle in Guasdualito when a technical failure caused it to veer off the road. The vehicle overturned, causing an explosion.
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