Venezuelan opposition leader refuses to recognise emergency decree declared by Maduro, calls for protests

Record ID: 103272

  • Title: Venezuelan opposition leader refuses to recognise emergency decree declared by Maduro, calls for protests
  • Date: 17th May 2016
  • Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (RECENT) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS IN STREET
  • Embargoed: 1st June 2016 21:34
  • Keywords: Capriles opposition Maduro demise parliament economic crisis Assembly
  • Location: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • City: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • Country: Venezuela
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0044I76T6R
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3
    Venezuela's opposition said on Tuesday (May 17) it will not recognise the state of emergency declared by President Nicolas Maduro, which threatens to raise tension in the country at a time where shortages of goods have become more acute with long lines to buy them.
    At the weekend, Maduro declared a 60-day state of emergency, widening his powers to sidestep the legislature, intervene in the economy and control the streets, because of what he called U.S. and domestic plots against him.
    "This is a decree I call on Venezuelans to not recognise. I call on the country to not recognise this decree if the government intends to impose it," said opposition leader Henrique Capriles.
    President Nicolas Maduro has also predicted the imminent demise of Venezuela's opposition-led parliament, amid an acrimonious conflict of powers that is delaying solutions to its economic crisis.
    The 53-year-old socialist leader did not specify further on what could happen to the legislature, although last month he threatened a constitutional amendment to cut its five-year term.
    Capitalising on public anger over the economic mess, the opposition coalition won control of the National Assembly in a December vote and is pushing for a referendum to oust Maduro, the unpopular successor to the late Hugo Chavez.
    But ruling Socialist Party officials say there is not time to organize such a vote this year, and the government-leaning Election Board is dragging its feet on paperwork.
    Furthermore, the Supreme Court has overturned most of the assembly's new laws, prompting opposition accusations that Maduro has become a dictator backed by stooge institutions.
    Capriles, who is championing the push for a referendum, said the decree was problematic.
    "With all the responsibility for the case, this is invalid. Absolutely invalid, this is an unconstitutional decree and Maduro is not above the constitution. No minister is above the constitution. This decree here could be used to do anything. If Maduro wants to apply this decree, then he should prepare the tanks of war, he should start getting out the warplanes and tanks to the streets because he will have to apply it by way of force, because we will not accept this decree," Capriles said.
    The opposition is organising nationwide protests for Wednesday. Marches last week turned violent, with soldiers using tear gas against stone-throwing youths and one official pepper-spraying Capriles.
    Street protests and looting are becoming more common around the country, as Venezuelans grow wearier and angrier at food shortages, power and water cuts, and inflation that is the highest in the world.
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