Venezuelan President Maduro has declared the constituent assembly the most powerful institution in the country. The assembly moved to oust former chief prosecutor, Luisa Ortega, who has said she now fears for her life.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Images/A.Cubillos
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Speaking before the newly formed constituent assembly for the first time on Thursday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro affirmed that the new legislative body was all powerful, as well as "sovereign and magnificent."
Addressing the 545 assembly members, the vast majority of whom are loyalists from his own Socialist Party, Maduro said: "As head of state I subordinate myself to the powers of this constituent assembly."
Maduro's critics have voiced fears that the assembly, which was inaugurated six days ago following a highly contested vote, would effectively get rid of any remaining checks and balances on the president's powers.
The president's move to consolidate his powers comes as Venezuela finds itself engulfed by increasingly violent anti-government protests, crippling inflation and a shortage of basic goods, including foods and medicine.
"This assembly had a violent birth," Maduro said, drawing a standing ovation from the assembly when he promised to jail violent anti-government protestors.
Venezuela's ousted chief prosecutor fears for her life
In its first session on Saturday, the assembly decided to fire Attorney General Luisa Ortega and ordered her to stand trial for alleged complicity in the deadly protests. Her office was then surrounded by government troops who barred her from entering. She subsequently fled on the back of a motorbike.
On Thursday, in an interview with the Reuters news agency, Ortega revealed that she has been in hiding since, fearing for her life.
"I do not know what dark intentions and dark plans they may have, not only to deprive me of my freedom but also deprive me of my life," she said, speaking from a safe house. "I'm being permanently persecuted. There's always a car following me, stopping where I stop, people taking photos of me and the places I go."
After more than a decade as Venezuela's chief prosecutor, Ortega broke ranks with Maduro and the Socialist Party in March. She accused the president of committing human rights abuses by letting his loyalist Supreme Court nullify laws passed by the opposition-controlled Congress earlier this year. As violence on the streets began escalating across the country, she became one of the most senior figures to denounce of the Venezuelan leadership.
Maduro calls for meeting with Trump
During his speech, Maduro also told the constituent assembly on Thursday that he wants a "personal conversation" with US President Donald Trump. "If he's so interested in Venezuela, here I am. Mr. Donald Trump, here is my hand," he said.
The offer came after the US last week imposed sanctions on Maduro, who the Trump administration has labeled "a dictator." The sanctions see the Venezuelan leader's US assets frozen and bar him from conducting business with American citizens. Several members of the new assembly were also sanctioned.
This has prompted fears on both sides that oil shipments between the two countries could be dramatically reduced. Venezuela is hugely reliant on oil exports to the US, which amount to around 740,000 barrels per day. Any significant reduction in trade would see Venezuela's already crippled economy lose one of its main sources revenue.
The US, meanwhile, which is in the midst of a drilling boom, continues to build upon on its oil reserves, estimated to be almost 700 million barrels.
Venezuela on the brink
Venezuela is facing collapse amid multiple crises. DW takes a look at what has brought the oil-rich nation to its knees.
In March 2017, violent protests erupted across the country in response to a Supreme Court decision to strip the legislative branch of its powers. Amid an international outcry, President Nicolas Maduro reversed the decision, but it was too late. Thousands continued to take to the streets, calling for new elections. More than 100 people were killed in clashes with security forces.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/J. Barreto
Hunger, a growing problem
The violence added to the ongoing economic and political crisis in Venezuela. Many Venezuelans spend more than 30 hours a week waiting in lines to shop, and are often confronted with empty shelves when they finally enter a store. President Maduro blames the crisis on US price speculation. The opposition, however, accuses the Socialist government of economic mismanagement.
Image: picture-alliance/AA/C. Becerra
Health care in crisis
The crisis has even affected health care in the oil-rich nation. Venezuelans often head to Colombia to collect medical supplies to send home, as seen in this picture. Hospitals across Venezuela have compared conditions to those seen only in war zones. As patient deaths rise, health officials have sounded the alarm on the rise of malaria and dengue fever.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/M.Duenas Castaneda
Power grab
By July 2017, Venezuela's pro-government Constituent Assembly was established. For observers, it had all the hallmarks of a power grab. The new body adopted the authority to pass legislation on a range of issues, effectively taking away the powers of Venezuela's elected congress, which was under the opposition's control. The move drew wide international condemnation.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/P. Miraflores
The West sanctions
In response to the political crisis, the United States and European Union imposed a series of sanctions against ruling officials. The US blacklisted members of the Constituent Assembly and froze all of Maduro's assets that are subject to US jurisdiction. The EU banned arms sales to the country.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/AFP/T. Schwarz
Government victorious in regional elections
In October 2017, Venezuela held two votes: regional elections and elections for governors, which were long overdue. The opposition boycotted the vote, but then split, as some candidates and small parties chose to participate. This caused a deep rift within Maduro's opponents. The government went on to sweep the vote, which detractors say was unfair and heavily favored the regime.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Cubillos
Debt default
In November 2017, the oil-rich, cash-poor nation faced its day of reckoning. Credit ratings agencies declared Venezuela and its state-run oil company in "selective default." But Russia offered to restructure the South American country's debt to ensure Caracas pays its other creditors. US and EU sanctions, however, limited the chance of an agreement.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Cubillos
Presidential elections scheduled
The National Assembly announced in January 2018 that it would grant Maduro's call for snap presidential elections. The electoral authority, CNE, held the elections on May 20. The EU, the US and 14 Latin American nations warned that they would not recognize the results. The mainstream MUD opposition alliance boycotted the vote, leaving only one possible outcome.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/F. Parra
Maduro wins ...
Maduro was re-elected to a second six-year term with about 68 percent of the vote. Turnout was only 46 percent, according to electoral authorities. However, the MUD opposition alliance put turnout at less than 30 percent. The Organization of American States (OAS) called the elections neither free nor fair.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Cubillos
... Guaido assumes power
But weeks into the new year, the situation took a drastic turn. On January 23, 2019, parliament president Juan Guaido declared himself interim president of Venezuela — a move that was quickly recognized by US President Donald Trump. Maduro called it a US-backed "coup." Days later, the US sanctioned Venezuela's state oil firm, while Guaido staked his claim on the country's foreign assets.
