This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-39468045
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Venezuela: Supreme court backtracks on powers bid | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Venezuelan supreme court has reversed its ruling to strip congress of its legislative powers. | |
It made the decision after the government of President Nicolas Maduro urged it to review the ruling "to maintain institutional stability". | It made the decision after the government of President Nicolas Maduro urged it to review the ruling "to maintain institutional stability". |
The initial decision - announced on Wednesday - had been denounced as a "coup" by the opposition, which dominates the National Assembly. | The initial decision - announced on Wednesday - had been denounced as a "coup" by the opposition, which dominates the National Assembly. |
Anti-government protesters have staged daily protests against the move. | Anti-government protesters have staged daily protests against the move. |
The supreme court announced the reversal on its website. | |
A day earlier, chief prosecutor Luisa Ortega, an ally of President Nicolas Maduro, became the first high-ranking official to criticise the judges. | |
Speaking live on TV, she expressed "great concern" about a measure which, she said, violated the constitution. | |
Promising dialogue to end the crisis, Mr Maduro had convened a late-night meeting of the state security council. | |
Afterwards Vice-President Tareck El Aissami said: "We urge the supreme court to review the decisions... in order to maintain institutional stability and the balance of powers." | |
Mr Maduro said: "This controversy has been overcome, showing the power of dialogue." | |
How did the dispute start? | |
In its original ruling, the supreme court had annulled the powers of the assembly, allowing the judges to write laws. | |
The court had accused lawmakers of "contempt" after allegations of irregularities by three opposition lawmakers during the 2015 elections. | |
The court has backed the leftist president in his ongoing struggles with the legislature. On Tuesday it removed parliamentary immunity from the assembly's members. | |
There has been widespread international condemnation, with the Organisation of American States talking of the "final blow to democracy" in Venezuela. | |
Why is Venezuela in crisis? | |
Tensions have been high because the country has been engulfed in a severe economic crisis. | |
It has the world's highest inflation rate, which the International Monetary Fund predicts could reach 1,660% next year. Long queues, power cuts and shortages of basic goods are common. | |
The government and opposition blame each other for the country's problems, made worse by the falling price of oil, Venezuela's main export product. | |
President Maduro has become increasingly unpopular and the opposition has called for his removal |