Venezuelan opposition leaders have rejected President Nicolas Maduro’s call for a Constituent Assembly, warning that this confirms a coup against Parliament and deepens the political crisis.
Presidential candidate Henrique Capriles used Twitter to express his concern on the president’s announcement to convene a Constituent Assembly to draft a new Magna Carta.
Capriles said that the government intends to kill the Constitution through a fraud, and called on the opposition bases to disobey such madness.
In making the announcement to thousands of supporters, Maduro said that it is a “Popular Constituent” and that at least half of its members will be elected by citizen sectors such as the disabled or sexual minorities, and not by political parties.
This is a continued State coup. Maduro did not convene a Constituent Assembly but a prostitute,”
said veteran MP Henry Ramos Allup.
The opposition accused Maduro of carrying out a coup d’état, after the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) assumed the powers of the legislature and withdrew immunity from legislators.
Both measures were overturned amid strong international pressure, but opponents believe the violation remains.