Venezuela: Constituent Assembly strips powers from congress August 18 /update 4

Event

Members of Venezuela's pro-government Constituent Assembly issued a unanimous decree on Friday, August 18, granting the assembly authority to pass legislation. This move effectively strips the opposition-led congress of all political power. The decision comes after all 109 opposition leaders in congress refused to swear a loyalty oath to the new assembly.  Protests by opposition supporters against the decision may occur in the coming days and violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces are likely.

Context

The Constitutional Assembly was created to replace the opposition-controlled National Assembly in favor of a pro-government body. Its members were chosen in a vote held on July 30, which was boycotted by the opposition coalition MUD (Mesa de la Unidad Democrática) and marred by deadly violence. MUD, as well as numerous international observers, view the body's creation as the latest in a series of moves implemented by the government of President Nicolás Maduro to consolidate its power as the country moves further towards a dictatorship. The Constituent Assembly already removed chief prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diaz on August 5, after she announced her intention to investigate alleged fraud during the July 30 elections. The country's federal judicial system is also dominated by government allies and many prominent opposition leaders have been imprisoned in recent years.

Due to increasing levels of violence in recent weeks - and following near-daily protests that have dominated the sociopolitical landscape in the country since April - an increasing number of foreign governments are advising their nationals against travel to Venezuela and numerous foreign airlines have suspended flights to the country. Over 100 people have been killed amid protests and associated violence since April, the majority killed by security forces who have repeatedly been accused of excessive use of force, as well as pro-government militias.

These developments follow a long series of progressively worsening crises affecting the restive country in recent months and years, including major shortages of basic necessities, an alarming spike in rates of violent crime, massive inflation and economic recession, and a resurgence of disease.

Advice

Individuals in Caracas and other Venezuelan cities are advised to limit movements, in particular to the area around the National Assembly, to strictly avoid all protests and roadblocks due to the likelihood of violence and the risk of arbitrary arrest, and to closely monitor developments to the situation. Maintain a stockpile of enough food, water, and other supplies enabling you to shelter in place for several days in anticipation of a further deterioration in the security situation.