Venezuela inaugurates new legislative superbody despite protests
Venezuela on Friday inaugurated a new legislative superbody that is expected to rewrite the constitution and give vast new powers to the ruling Socialist Party, defying worldwide condemnation that the new assembly undermines democratic freedoms.
President Nicolas Maduro says the 545-member assembly, which was elected on Sunday in a vote boycotted by the opposition, will bring peace to a nation beset by violent protests and a profound economic crisis.
The assembly unanimously elected well-known Socialist Party leaders to its leadership, with former Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez to serve as the president, and former Vice President Aristobulo Isturiz as First Vice President.
