Maduro takes legal actions against Venezuela lawmakers

By Senabri Silvestre

SANTO DOMINGO, Dom. Rep.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro took legal action against opposition leaders in the National Assembly (AN) for alleged interfering with the functions of the National Executive related to foreign affairs.

Elvis Amoroso, the president’s legal consultant, said the demand for legal action was delivered to the Supreme Justice Court and he expects international organizations to know what he calls the interference of the legislative power in Venezuelan government responsibilities.

“We sent an amparo [request] to the court against the abuses generated by the president of the AN Henry Ramos Allup and the board of the parliament," Amoroso told state channel Venezolana Television on Friday.

He accused parliament of violating a part of the Constitution that allows the head of state to conduct foreign relations, sign and ratify treaties, conventions or international agreements.

Maduro threatened legal actions against Congress on Tuesday, hours after the chief of the Organization of American States (OAS) called for an emergency meeting of the regional bloc to analyze “the alteration of the democratic order” of Venezuela.

Ramos Allup responded to Maduro’s threat by saying: "The government actions are aimed at further closing the possibilities of democratic, electoral and peaceful outputs.”

The head of the National Assembly believed the Supreme Court will try to limit his immunity.

Ramos has requested to speak to the OAS to detail the economic crisis in the South American country.

Maduro believes the move constitutes an act of treason.