This article is from the source 'washpo' 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 https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/venezuela-lawmakers-again-blocked-from-congress-session/2020/01/21/ff101f18-3c6d-11ea-afe2-090eb37b60b1_story.html
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Venezuela lawmakers again blocked from congress session | Venezuela lawmakers again blocked from congress session |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan lawmakers opposed to President Nicolás Maduro called off an attempt to hold a session in the national congress building on Tuesday, saying they wanted to avoid clashes with security forces and armed government supporters blocking entry. | CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan lawmakers opposed to President Nicolás Maduro called off an attempt to hold a session in the national congress building on Tuesday, saying they wanted to avoid clashes with security forces and armed government supporters blocking entry. |
| Juan Pablo Guanipa, 1st vice president of the National Assembly, said from the headquarters of a political party that streets leading to their legislative building had been “militarized” by armed groups, so they were not going to attempt an entry until next week. | Juan Pablo Guanipa, 1st vice president of the National Assembly, said from the headquarters of a political party that streets leading to their legislative building had been “militarized” by armed groups, so they were not going to attempt an entry until next week. |
| Instead, the lawmakers held a makeshift meeting in an open-air public square in an opposition-friendly part of Caracas away from downtown. They sat on chairs set up before a stage amid trees and backed by their flag-colored streamer and emblem. | Instead, the lawmakers held a makeshift meeting in an open-air public square in an opposition-friendly part of Caracas away from downtown. They sat on chairs set up before a stage amid trees and backed by their flag-colored streamer and emblem. |
| It was the third consecutive week that groups of armed civilians known as “colectivos” and security forces have blocked access for members of the National Assembly, the last major national institution under opposition control and the center of the struggle over who governs the crisis-wracked nation. | It was the third consecutive week that groups of armed civilians known as “colectivos” and security forces have blocked access for members of the National Assembly, the last major national institution under opposition control and the center of the struggle over who governs the crisis-wracked nation. |
| Last week, a caravan of SUVs carrying lawmakers toward the building was struck with rocks and poles by civilians, and gunfire could be heard. On Jan. 5, Guaidó attempted to jump a fence to get in only to be rebuffed by riot police. | |
| Guanipa called on supporters to march with lawmakers to retake the Assembly chambers next week — setting up a potential clash with the backers of socialist President Nicolás Maduro. | Guanipa called on supporters to march with lawmakers to retake the Assembly chambers next week — setting up a potential clash with the backers of socialist President Nicolás Maduro. |
| “We are going to show them that we are fighting for the freedom of Venezuela,” Guanipa said. “We’ll demonstrate, as we always have, that we’re absolutely ready to do whatever is required to achieve democracy in Venezuela.” | “We are going to show them that we are fighting for the freedom of Venezuela,” Guanipa said. “We’ll demonstrate, as we always have, that we’re absolutely ready to do whatever is required to achieve democracy in Venezuela.” |
| The United States and about 60 other nations recognize National Assembly leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s constitutional president, arguing that Maduro’s 2018 reelection was invalid and marred by fraud. Guaidó, however, has no control over government institution or the military. | The United States and about 60 other nations recognize National Assembly leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s constitutional president, arguing that Maduro’s 2018 reelection was invalid and marred by fraud. Guaidó, however, has no control over government institution or the military. |
| During their remote session, lawmakers condemned officials for the disappearance of Ismael León, a deputy in the National Assembly, who they say was swept up by security forces shortly after leaving the party headquarters headed to the legislative building. | |
| “His family, colleagues and fellow party members have absolutely no idea where he is,” opposition lawmaker Adriana Pichardo said. Officials have not commented on León’s whereabouts. | |
| After the meeting, lawmakers accused officials of trying to confiscate two trucks returning the chairs they had used. | |
| Maduro backers this month attempted to undermine Guaidó’s standing by swearing in another deputy as leader of the congress despite lacking a majority. Maduro maintains that breakaway group is now the legitimate legislature. | Maduro backers this month attempted to undermine Guaidó’s standing by swearing in another deputy as leader of the congress despite lacking a majority. Maduro maintains that breakaway group is now the legitimate legislature. |
| Local news media on Tuesday showed that group meeting in the congressional chambers, led by lawmaker Luis Parra, who claims the body’s presidency. | Local news media on Tuesday showed that group meeting in the congressional chambers, led by lawmaker Luis Parra, who claims the body’s presidency. |
| Guaidó, meanwhile, was on an international tour to build support — breaking a year-old travel ban by the Maduro-loyal Supreme Court. | Guaidó, meanwhile, was on an international tour to build support — breaking a year-old travel ban by the Maduro-loyal Supreme Court. |
| Guaidó met Monday in Colombia with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and was in London on Tuesday to meet British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Gaudió was also scheduled speak at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. | |
| Maduro´s government was shoring up its own international backing, as Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza met with Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani in Tehran. | Maduro´s government was shoring up its own international backing, as Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza met with Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani in Tehran. |
| Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |