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WORLD NEWS Monday 3 april 2017

Venezuela walks back move to strip congress’ power

proof that cracks are be- “It’s not clear exactly how
ginning to show in Mad- wounded the government
uro’s control of a country is. This is the first time since
spiraling into chaos, with his the opposition won the Na-
approval ratings dipping tional Assembly in 2015 that
below 20 percent amid the they have managed to get
worsening economic and the president to reverse a
humanitarian crisis. decision. So this is huge,”
Opposition leaders recast said Javier Corrales, who
a planned Saturday pro- teaches Latin American
test as an open air meet- politics at Amherst College
ing. Hundreds of support- in Massachusetts.
ers joined congress mem- Saturday’s revision undoes
bers in a wealthy Caracas most of the original court
neighborhood to celebrate decision, but will still al-
the rare victory. low Maduro to enter into
Later, soldiers fired tear gas joint oil ventures without
on activists who attempted congressional approval.
to march on government Supreme Court president
offices downtown and Maikel Moreno met with
blocked their path with diplomats in the morning
barricades and armored and warned that the court
cars. Some of protesters would not “remain passive”
An opposition member holds up a copy of Venezuela’s Constitution during a National Assembly jumped atop the military in the face of attacks on
special session in Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuela’s president and Supreme Court backed down vehicles and made trium- the country’s right to self-
Saturday from an audacious move to strip congress of its legislative powers that had sparked phant gestures. rule.q
widespread charges that the South American country was no longer a democracy.
(AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
HANNAH DREIER in a late-night speech to the judges only proved yet
FABIOLA SANCHEZ review a ruling nullifying the again that Maduro controls
Associated Press branch of power that set the courts and there is no
CARACAS, Venezuela off a storm of criticism from longer a real separation of
(AP) — Venezuela’s presi- the opposition and foreign powers in Venezuela.
dent and Supreme Court governments. The court on “The dire situation we’re liv-
backed down this week- Saturday reinstated con- ing through in Venezuela
end from an unprecedent- gress’ authority. remains the same. There is
ed move to strip congress It was a rare instance of the nothing to “clarify” when
of its legislative powers that embattled socialist presi- it comes to respecting the
had sparked widespread dent backing away from Constitution,” said mod-
charges that the South a move to increase his erate leader and former
American country was no power. Opposition leaders presidential candidate
longer a democracy. dismissed the reversal as Henrique Capriles.
President Nicolas Maduro too little too late. They said At the same time, critics
asked the Supreme Court the clarification issued by celebrated the reversal as
Evo Morales throat surgery in Cuba successful

HAVANA (AP) — Bolivian the medical report fill us the voice.
President Evo Morales un- with satisfaction,” he said. In other words, he won’t
derwent successful throat Martinez said Bolivia’s presi- be able to speak during
surgery in Cuba and must dent is following the recom- four to six days,” Martinez
rest his voice for about a mendations by the team said, adding that they still
week, a government offi- of doctors who performed don’t know when Morales
cial said Saturday. the operation. would return to Bolivia.
Bolivian presidential min- Officials have previously Morales traveled to Cuba
ister Rene Martinez, who said the operation was to on Thursday for the surgery
accompanied the 57-year- remove a nodule from his that was originally slated for
old Morales to Cuba, told vocal chords. April 8 but was later pushed
Telesur news service that “He is in the recovery room. forward. It’s not clear if the
the operation was an “ab- There is a basic recom- operation took place on
solute success.” mendation of strict com-
“The conclusive results and pliance to completely rest Friday or Saturday.q