Image copyright Reuters Image caption The constituent assembly was set up despite fierce criticism at home and abroad

Venezuela's controversial new constituent assembly has overwhelmingly voted in favour of assuming the powers of the opposition-led parliament.

Parliament has rejected the move. President Maduro says the new assembly will end political unrest, but many say it is a slide towards dictatorship.

Meanwhile Colombia says the former chief prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diaz has arrived in the capital Bogota.

Mrs Ortega said she feared for her life after being sacked by the new assembly.

Once a staunch supporter of President Maduro, she had become a strong critic of his socialist government in recent months.

Her whereabouts had been unknown following her dismissal on 5 August.

On Friday Mrs Ortega told a regional conference via videolink that she had evidence that Mr Maduro was embroiled in a corruption scandal involving the Brazilian construction company, Odebrecht.

Odebrecht has admitted paying bribes to win contracts in 12 countries, though no Venezuelans have been named.

The Venezuelan parliament said citizens and the international community would not recognise the constituent assembly's new powers.

The head of the Organization of American States (OAS) Luis Almagro called the move an "illegitimate dissolution" of the elected parliament.

Regional economic bloc Mercosur - which includes the region's two biggest economies Brazil and Argentina - also condemned the move.

Mercosur suspended Venezuela indefinitely earlier this month, urging Mr Maduro to release prisoners and begin a political transition.

Image copyright AFP/Getty Image caption Former chief prosecutor Mrs Ortega has fled to Colombia

The heads of the parliament and the new assembly have been trading insults on social media.

Parliament head Julio Borges accused the new assembly of a "coup" while new assembly head Delcy Rodriguez - a close ally of Mr Maduro - denounced his "lies".

Mr Maduro's wife and son are among the 545 members of the new assembly, which was set up following a controversial election earlier this month.

More than 120 people have been killed in violent protests since April.

The president's opponents want to hold a vote to remove him, blaming his left-wing administration for food shortages and soaring inflation in the oil-rich country.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Your video guide to the crisis gripping Venezuela

What is the new body - and why is it so controversial?

Constituent assemblies are set up for the specific purpose of drafting or adopting a constitution, and as such can fundamentally change how a country is run.

Venezuela has seen waves of violent protests, and Mr Maduro presented the assembly as a way of promoting "reconciliation and peace".

An ally of Mr Maduro, former foreign minister Delcy Rodriguez, is president of the new body

How widely is it supported?

The election for the constituent assembly was marred by violence and accusations of fraud.

Venezuela's electoral authorities said more than eight million people, or 41.5% of the electorate, had voted, a figure the company that provided the voting system said was inflated.

The opposition boycotted the poll and also held an unofficial referendum in which they said more than seven million Venezuelans voted against the constituent assembly.

How does the international community see it?

The US has imposed sanctions on Mr Maduro, with the Trump administration calling him a "dictator".

The European Union and major Latin American nations say they will not recognise the new body.

Mr Maduro retains a major ally in Russia, however, and has the support of several left-wing nations in the Americas.</s>Venezuela's newly-appointed National Constituent Assembly (ANC) voted unanimously to take over the powers of the opposition-controlled legislature.

Friday's vote came after the leaders of the National Assembly, the unicameral legislature, refused an invitation to attend the ANC session at the legislative palace, reports Efe news.

Venezuela's opposition does not recognize the ANC, calling it an illegitimate tool President Nicolas Maduro's government is using to consolidate a dictatorship.

By decree, the constituent assembly voted to "assume the power to legislate on matters that directly pertain to guaranteeing the preservation of peace, public safety, sovereignty, the socio-economic and financial system, the objectives of the state and the pre-eminence of Venezuelans' rights".

It said the decree had its basis in Article 349 of Venezuela's 1999 constitution, which states that the existing constituted authorities shall in no way be permitted to obstruct the decisions of a duly-formed Constituent Assembly.

But National Assembly President Julio Borges said in an open letter later on Friday that the ANC was not an authentic constituent assembly but rather a "de facto power" set up to keep Maduro in power.

The National Assembly, which has continued to meet at a separate chamber of the legislative palace, called on its members and ordinary Venezuelans to attend a session on Saturday.

Maduro says that ANC is needed to bring peace to oil-rich Venezuela and resolve its severe economic woes, but the opposition and much of the international community say it will be used to strip away all vestiges of democracy in the country.

Since its inauguration earlier this month, the ANC has sacked a key government critic, Attorney General Luisa Ortega Diaz, issued a ruling stating that its decisions override those of any other constitutional bodies in Venezuela and threatened to jail opposition leaders.</s>related media assets (image or videos) available. Click to see the gallery.

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Venezuela's new legislative superbody on Friday gave itself the power to pass laws, superseding the opposition-led congress and fuelling criticism by government adversaries that socialist President Nicolas Maduro is consolidating a dictatorship.

CARACAS: Venezuela's new legislative superbody on Friday gave itself the power to pass laws, superseding the opposition-led congress and fuelling criticism by government adversaries that socialist President Nicolas Maduro is consolidating a dictatorship.

In practice, the move does little to change the existing situation. The Socialist-dominated Supreme Court has stripped power from the congress and shot down nearly every law it has approved since it was taken over by the opposition in 2016.

But the decision suggests the constituent assembly, elected in July in a vote boycotted by the opposition, is more interested in limiting the opposition's influence than carrying out its official task of rewriting the nation's constitution.

Delcy Rodriguez, a Maduro ally and president of the constituent assembly, insisted the move did not imply a dissolution of the congress.

"Those lazy bums have to work. What we are doing is telling them 'Gentlemen, we are not going to let you take a holiday,'" Rodriguez said in a reference to opposition legislators.

The assembly had invited leaders of the existing congress to join the session. Congressional leaders did not attend, insisting it was fraudulently created and usurped their powers.

"(Congress) only obeys the constitution and the people. We do not recognise the constituent assembly, much less subordinate ourselves to it," Freddy Guevara, an opposition politician and vice president of the congress, wrote on Twitter.

Maduro pushed for the creation of the constituent assembly on promises it would bring peace to the country after months of violent street protests that have killed more than 125 people.

Critics say the constituent assembly was created to extend the rule of the Socialists, who face anger across the country over chronic food shortages, triple-digit inflation and a severe recession.

Protests have slowed since the July 30 election, partly because opposition leaders are in talks to present candidates for the gubernatorial elections expected in October. Many opposition supporters are also tired and demoralized.

Governments around the world have slammed the creation of the constituent assembly, with many accusing Maduro of seeking to ignore the will of Venezuelans who want a change of government.

The United States has slapped sanctions on top Socialist Party officials, accusing them, among other things, of weakening democracy and violating human rights. Washington has said it will consider sanctions against anyone who participates in the constituent assembly.</s>Venezuela's new constituent assembly supersedes the opposition-led congress, fuelling criticism of President Maduro.

Venezuela's new legislative superbody on Friday gave itself the power to pass laws, superseding the opposition-led congress and fuelling criticism by government adversaries that socialist President Nicolas Maduro is consolidating a dictatorship.

Delcy Rodriguez, a Maduro ally and president of the constituent assembly, insisted the move did not imply a dissolution of the congress.

"Those lazy bums have to work. What we are doing is telling them: 'Gentlemen, we are not going to let you take a holiday'," Rodriguez said in a reference to opposition legislators.

South American trade bloc Mercosur condemned the assembly for usurping congress' responsibilities, according to a statement released by Brazil's Foreign Ministry.

Mercosur founding members Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay will not recognise any measures taken by the assembly, the statement said.

The assembly had invited leaders of the existing congress to join the session. Congressional leaders did not attend, insisting it was fraudulently created and usurped their powers.

"(Congress) only obeys the constitution and the people. We do not recognise the constituent assembly, much less subordinate ourselves to it," Freddy Guevara, an opposition politician and vice president of the congress, wrote on Twitter.

In practice, the move does little to change the existing situation. The Socialist-dominated Supreme Court has stripped power from congress and shot down nearly every law it has approved since it was taken over by the opposition in 2016.

Maduro pushed for the creation of the constituent assembly on promises it would bring peace to Venezuela after months of violent street protests that have killed more than 125 people.

Critics say the assembly was created to extend the rule of the Socialists, who face anger across the country over chronic food shortages, triple-digit inflation and a severe recession.

Protests have slowed since the July 30 election, partly because opposition leaders are in talks to present candidates for the gubernatorial elections expected in October. Many opposition supporters are also tired and demoralised.

Governments around the world have slammed the creation of the constituent assembly, with many accusing Maduro of seeking to ignore the will of Venezuelans who want a change of government.

The United States has slapped sanctions on top Socialist Party officials, accusing them, among other things, of weakening democracy and violating human rights. Washington has said it will consider sanctions against anyone who participates in the constituent assembly.</s>CARACAS, Venezuela (WASHINGTON POST) - Venezuela's new pro-government Constituent Assembly formally moved on Friday (Aug 18) to assume the powers of the opposition-dominated congress, completing what critics call a power grab that effectively puts all branches of government under the control of President Nicolas Maduro.

The Constituent Assembly, created in a July 30 vote decried as fraud by the opposition and a host of nations, had begun to assume the role of the National Assembly, whose members were democratically elected in 2015.

But in a move likely to spark further international condemnations, the motion on Friday formalised the arrangement. The body was also poised to pass a new law that critics say could be used to punish opposition leaders and anti-government protesters with up to 25 years in prison.

The body had invited National Assembly members to attend Friday's session - an invitation that was declined.

Before the vote to assume their powers, the Constituent Assembly's president, Delcy Rodriguez - a top Maduro ally - theatrically pointed to the empty seats reserved for them.

"When they're called for national dialogue, cameras please, see? Empty seats. There's the definition of the Venezuelan right."

The opposition, which does not recognise the Constituent Assembly, rejected the move.

"All they want to do is keep stealing!" tweeted opposition legislator Juan Andres Mejia. "The world and Venezuelans have said it very clear. We DON'T recognise the fraudulent constituent national assembly."

Opposition leaders decried the vote as an attempt to finally "close" down congress.

Luis Almagro, secretary-general of the Organisation of American States, blasted the government, tweeting: "Fraudulent dissolution of the National Assembly by the Constituent Assembly deepens the coup d'etat in Venezuela."

But Diosdado Cabello, a senior member of Maduro's inner circle, said the decision had stopped short of disbanding congress, and that the Constituent Assembly was simply assuming congressional powers.

"For those raving, the constituent assembly has not eliminated the national assemble," Cabello tweeted. "It is only assuming the functions of those who have placed themselves on the margins of the constitution."

Nevertheless, Venezuela's congress appeared to be left in an even more precarious legal limbo.

The pro-government Supreme Court robbed the congress of its authority in March. Yet even after the new Constituent Assembly began to meet in its legislative palace this month, opposition lawmakers have continued to convene there in a separate chamber. It remained unclear whether opposition leaders could continue that arrangement.

Maduro - the anointed successor of Hugo Chavez, who died in 2013 - has billed the new Constituent Assembly as the cornerstone of his completing Chavez's socialist dream.

The assembly's members - ranging from student leaders to fishermen to top government officials - are being vested with vast powers to change the constitution, and will be used to streamline efforts to funnel more power and authority to local communities.

In practice, however, critics say, it will be used to consolidate Maduro's power and insure more political largesse in poor communities in exchange for their loyalty.

The moves by the Constituent Assembly come amid an escalating crackdown on dissent after four months of anti-government street protests have left more than 100 dead.

The Constituent Assembly moved on Thursday night to strip legislative immunity from German Ferrer, a member of the elected congress. It came as he and his wife, Luisa Ortega Diaz - Venezuela's former chief prosecutor who was removed from office this month - appeared to join a growing number of dissidents fleeing the country.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court issued an arrest order for Ferrer. Both he and Ortega were previous government loyalists who turned against Maduro amid mounting allegations of human rights abuses and corruption. They had emerged as two of the most vocal and influential government critics.

Nicmer Evans, a political ally of the couple, told The Washington Post that they had left Venezuela.

Colombia's Radio Caracol reported on Friday that the couple had exited via Brazil and had arrived in Mexico, where Ortega was set to hold a conference call with a group of top prosecutors from across Latin America.

Marvelis Cuevas, Ortega's former spokeswoman, said she had "no idea" whether the couple had left the country.

Since the creation of Constituent Assembly last month, three opposition mayors have gone into hiding and two have fled the country, adding to a growing list of dissidents seeking to escape a broadening crackdown.

Addressing the increased targeting of dissenters, opposition lawmakers said in a statement that "Nicolas Maduro needs silence to consummate injustice. Any expression of the people's voice is being criminalised."

The arrest warrant for Ferrer was connected to government charges that had used his wife's former post to extort US$6 million from business executives. Ferrer has strongly denied the charges, describing them as political persecution.

In an interview with The Washington Post this month, Ortega denounced the creation of the new Constituent Assembly - members of which include Maduro's wife and son - as "the birth of a dictatorship."

"We are just a tiny sample of what comes to anyone who dares to oppose the totalitarian way of governing," she said. "I will continue fighting for Venezuelans, for their liberties and rights, until my last breath."</s>Venezuela's constituent assembly on Friday gave itself the power to pass laws, superseding the opposition-led congress and fuelling criticism that the new all-powerful legislative superbody is undermining democracy in the crisis-stricken country.

"The constituent assembly … decrees that it will assume the power to legislate on issues directly related to preservation of peace, the socio-economic financial system … and the pre-eminence of Venezuelans' human rights," read the decree, which was approved unanimously.

In practice, the move does little to change the existing situation. The Socialist-dominated Supreme Court has stripped congress of powers and shot down nearly every law it has approved since the opposition took control of it in 2016.
• 'People live day to day': Why Venezuela is in crisis

But the decision suggests the constituent assembly, elected in July in a vote boycotted by the opposition, is more interested in limiting the opposition's political influence than rewriting the constitution, which is its official task.

The dramatic move follows a refusal by the congressional leadership to swear an oath of loyalty to the assembly, whose election the opposition considers illegitimate.

The government has argued that opposition lawmakers behind months of anti-government protests are working with the U.S. to violently oust President Nicolas Maduro.

The assembly had invited leaders of the existing congress to join the session. Congressional leaders did not attend the session, insisting it was fraudulently created and usurping their powers.

"[Congress] only obeys the constitution and the people. We do not recognize the constituent assembly, much less subordinate ourselves to it," wrote opposition politician and congress Vice-President Freddy Guevara via Twitter.</s>MIAMI (CBSMiami) — The power struggle in Venezuela has just taken another dramatic turn.

The new assembly – Venezuela’s Constituent Assembly – that is rewriting the Constitution just announced it’s taking over the powers of the Congress.

At last check, there was no response from the members of Congress or other opposition leaders.

Earlier this month, the U.S. slapped sanctions on individuals involved in organizing or supporting the creation of the assembly.

The creation of the assembly is a move the U.S. considers to be anti-democratic since the assembly plans to rewrite the Venezuelan constitution and dissolve its state institutions, according to the department.

The Constituent Assembly was created through an election the department called an “undemocratic process” instigated by Maduro.

Back on July 31st, the Treasury Dept. also sanctioned President Maduro – the day after the elections were held.

Days later, the assembly was sworn in and, in its first session, ousted the country’s Attorney General, Luisa Marvelia Ortega Diaz, who was calling for an investigation into election fraud.</s>CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced on Monday a national vote to create a new "constituent" National Assembly legislature in order to defuse a bitter political conflict after a month of anti-government protests.

Opponents say the move is another attempt to sideline the current opposition-led National Assembly and keep the unpopular Maduro in power in the midst of a bruising recession and unrest that has led to 29 deaths in the last month.</s>Venezuela’s National Constituent Assembly, ANC, has assumed by decree some of the functions of the country’s National Assembly, as it continues to be in contempt.

The National Assembly, which is led by the right-wing opposition, hasn’t been dissolved and its members can resume their activities, said ANC President Delcy Rodriguez.

She added that opposition leaders ignored their call to attend the session to establish the powers of the ANC voted for by millions of Venezuelans in open and free elections.

“The Legislative Power has not been dissolved, as they want to portray in national and international media,” Rodriguez said.

ANC First Vice President Elvis Amoroso read the decree in which the assembly “assumes the powers to legislate on matters directly aimed at ensuring the preservation of peace, security, sovereignty, the socioeconomic and financial system, the means of the state and the rights of the Venezuelans.”

“If it were dissolved, we would not be making a decree in which only certain functions are assumed,” ANC member Diosdado Cabello said.

“They can continue to meet and comment as the National Assembly. What we can’t allow is that a National Assembly paralyzes the state.”

Cabello recalled that the legislative body has been in contempt since swearing in lawmakers whose elections were under investigation for irregularities.

The politician said he believes this action destroys the allegations made by the U.S. government that Venezuela is a “failed state.”

The ANC said that the opposition had violated Article 349 of the Constitution, which states the authority of that institution.</s>Venezuela's controversial new constituent assembly has overwhelmingly voted in favour of assuming the powers of the opposition-led parliament.

The move has been rejected by parliament, which said Venezuelans and the international community would not recognise the new powers.

President Nicolas Maduro says the new assembly will end the deadly political unrest in the country.

But many have called it a slide towards dictatorship.

The head of the Organization of American States (OAS) Luis Almagro called the move an "illegitimate dissolution" of the elected parliament.

Regional economic bloc Mercosur - which includes the region's two biggest economies Brazil and Argentina - also condemned the move and said it would not recognise the new assembly's actions.

Mercosur suspended Venezuela indefinitely earlier this month, urging Mr Maduro to release prisoners and begin a political transition.

Meanwhile the heads of the parliament and the new assembly have been trading insults on social media.

Parliament head Julio Borges accused the new assembly of a "coup" while new assembly head Delcy Rodriguez - a close ally of Mr Maduro - denounced his "lies".

Mr Maduro's wife and son are among the 545 members of the new assembly, which was set up following a controversial election earlier this month.

More than 120 people have been killed in violent protests since April.

The president's opponents want to hold a vote to remove him, blaming his left-wing administration for food shortages and soaring inflation in the oil-rich country.

What is the new body - and why is it so controversial?

Constituent assemblies are set up for the specific purpose of drafting or adopting a constitution, and as such can fundamentally change how a country is run.

Venezuela seen waves of violent protests, and Mr Maduro presented the assembly as a way of promoting "reconciliation and peace".

An ally of Mr Maduro, former foreign minister Delcy Rodriguez, is president of the new body

How widely is it supported?

The election for the constituent assembly was marred by violence and accusations of fraud.

Venezuela's electoral authorities said more than eight million people, or 41.5% of the electorate, had voted, a figure the company that provided the voting system said was inflated.

The opposition boycotted the poll and also held an unofficial referendum in which they said more than seven million Venezuelans voted against the constituent assembly.

How does the international community see it?

The US has imposed sanctions on Mr Maduro, with the Trump administration calling him a "dictator".

The European Union and major Latin American nations say they will not recognise the new body.

Mr Maduro retains a major ally in Russia, however, and has the support of several left-wing nations in the Americas.
The controversial National Constituent Assembly votes unanimously to assume the powers of the opposition-led National Assembly of Venezuela.