Condemning the assumption of legislative powers by the “illegitimate” constituent assembly, the US has said the “power grab” is designed to supplant the democratically-elected National Assembly with an authoritarian committee operating above the law.

Venezuela’s new pro-government constitutional authority yesterday formally declared that it was seizing legislative power from the opposition-led legislature, tightening President Nicolas Maduro’s hold on power in defiance of calls for elections. 

“In our view, the democratically-elected National Assembly is the only legitimate legislative body,” State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert was quoted by the Indian Express as saying.

“The United States strongly condemns the assumption of legislative powers by the illegitimate Constituent Assembly.

This power grab is designed to supplant the democratically-elected National Assembly with an authoritarian committee operating above the law,” she said in a statement.

Source: MENA