MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Maduro asks the Assembly for expanded powers to fight 'imperialism'
“We'll be able to prepare ourselves economically, financially and commercially for whatever kind of blockade the U.S. surely has planned,” said Maduro. 
“You wonder why the administration even needs enabling laws, given that they control the National Assembly,” opposition leader Maria Corina Machado President Nicolas Maduro responded to new U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan officials by asking legislators Tuesday to give him expanded powers in the name of fighting imperialism. Government critics called it a power grab.
During a speech to the National Assembly, Maduro lashed out at Washington for imposing sanctions this week on a handful of top Venezuelan officials accused of human rights violations.
The populist president, who has seen his popularity slide amid the country's economic troubles, said he would use a new “anti-imperialize law” to ensure Venezuela is never caught off guard by the threats posed by the U.S. government.
“We'll be able to prepare ourselves economically, financially and commercially for whatever kind of blockade the U.S. surely has planned,” he said.
Maduro didn't specify the powers that the law would grant him or say exactly how he would apply them. He also announced that the military would stage exercises around Venezuela on Saturday to ensure that the “Yankee boot” can never touch the South American oil country.
Opponents said Maduro will surely use any additional powers to quash dissent. Several opposition leaders said they worried the expanded powers would allow Maduro to override the results of legislative elections expected late this year.
“You wonder why the administration even needs enabling laws, given that they control the National Assembly,” opposition leader Maria Corina Machado told journalists. “This just shows that they do what they want with public institutions, and the National Assembly is just window dressing for a regime that is a dictatorship.”
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki on Tuesday denied that the U.S. was working to destabilize Maduro's government and noted that the U.S. is Venezuela's largest trading partner. Asked about Maduro's request for additional powers, she said he “needs to spend more time listening to the views of the Venezuelan people.”
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Read all comments“Maduro didn't specify the powers that the law would grant him or say exactly how he would apply them. He also announced that the military would stage exercises around Venezuela ...”
Mar 11th, 2015 - 07:40 am 0Reaally? WTAF? (oops, for those that can't cope with actual adult responses, it means What The Actual Fuck?)
Hope that is clear, and you haven't wet yourselves at such outrage...
lol!
Meanwhile, back to actual life/death situations...
He wants to have these Powers, by Decree. (see above)
What part of 'dictatorship' do you not understand?
Still the wussy leftist-liberal apologists in Europe support him because he is 'socialist', when will they learn?
Sometimes I actually miss CD2, to kick some Vnzln arse...
They need it.
Indeed, what Maduro need is more knowledge about macro and micro economics, about fiscal monetary policies and about trade and diplomacy. Besides, he should manage the country and act with mentaly stability as self by erasing Chavez's character and overall by implementing inertia at his split personality; being that all the tools he needs to operate the country successfully.
Mar 11th, 2015 - 08:55 am 0Kirk Nelson,
New York, USA
Apologies to those that have already seen this/double post etc
Mar 11th, 2015 - 10:03 am 0But I am responding to a different set of posters..
So, let's deal with some Facts.
Welcome to the Truth in Vnzla.
7o% inflation
25000 violent deaths per annum
30% scarcity of basic goods
48.4% poverty levels
A corrupt Govt. that has US$1.4 billion in ONE Swiss bank account under the name of ONE minor govt. Minister...]
Official Exchange Rate = 6.3 BSF / US$
'Blue/street' Exchange Rate = approx. 200 BSF /US$
The fear, desperation and sense of hopelessness amongst the population.
The serious lack of medicines and equipment in the hospitals.
50000 Cuban 'advisors' in the country, and in the Army and Secret Police.
A President that now rules by decree.
Shooting unarmed protestors in the street.
28 opposition Mayors imprisoned without charge.
Over 1ooo student demonstrators imprisoned without charge.
A collapsing oil-price that means Vnzla can no longer 'white-wash' its failed economic principles, and may default soon.
A country that has earned US$800 billion in the past 15yrs is in debt to China and still begging them for more debt?
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