Editing Venezuela (section)

=== Suspension of constitutional rights ===
[[File:Venezuela protests against the Nicolas Maduro government, Altamira Square 6.JPG|thumb|Protests in [[Altamira (Caracas)|Altamira]], Caracas (2014)]]

The [[2015 Venezuelan parliamentary election|2015 parliamentary elections]] were held on 6 December 2015 to elect the 164 deputies and three Indigenous representatives of the National Assembly. In 2014, a series of protest and demonstrations began in Venezuela, attributed{{by whom|date=May 2019}} to inflation, violence and shortages in Venezuela. The protests were largely peaceful.<ref name= SVCOprotestINFO>{{cite news|title=Protestas aumentan 278% en primer semestre 2014|url=http://www.lapatilla.com/site/2014/07/17/protestas-aumentan-278-en-primer-semestre-2014/|access-date=9 April 2015| website= LaPatilla.com |date=17 July 2014|language=es|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141120/http://www.lapatilla.com/site/2014/07/17/protestas-aumentan-278-en-primer-semestre-2014/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2023}} The government has accused the protest of being motivated by [[fascists]], opposition leaders, capitalism and foreign influence,<ref name=Milne>{{cite news|last=Milne|first=Seumas|title=Venezuela protests are sign that US wants our oil, says Nicolás Maduro| url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/08/venezuela-protests-sign-us-wants-oil-says-nicolas-maduro|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=9 April 2015|archive-date=11 August 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210811062534/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/08/venezuela-protests-sign-us-wants-oil-says-nicolas-maduro|url-status=live}}</ref> President Maduro acknowledged [[PSUV]] defeat but attributed the opposition's victory to an intensification of an economic war. Despite this, Maduro said, "I will stop by hook or by crook the opposition coming to power, whatever the costs, in any way".<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicolás Maduro: 'Impediré por las buenas o por las malas que la oposición llegue al poder'|url=http://www.prensa.com/mundo/Nicolas-Maduro-Impedire-oposicion-llegue_0_4408059274.html|website=La Prensa|access-date=14 May 2016|language=es|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160321052435/http://www.prensa.com/mundo/Nicolas-Maduro-Impedire-oposicion-llegue_0_4408059274.html|archive-date=21 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the following months, Maduro fulfilled his promise of preventing the elected National Assembly from legislating. The first steps taken by PSUV and government were the substitution of the entire [[Supreme Court of Venezuela|Supreme Court]] a day after the parliamentary elections,<ref name="prodavinci.com">{{cite web|title=La designación de magistrados del TSJ por la AN. ¿Fraude Constitucional?|url= http://prodavinci.com/blogs/puede-la-asamblea-nacional-designar-magistrados-del-tsj-por-jose-ignacio-hernandez-g/ |website= ProDavinci.com |access-date=14 May 2016| archive-date=21 August 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160821221725/http://prodavinci.com/blogs/puede-la-asamblea-nacional-designar-magistrados-del-tsj-por-jose-ignacio-hernandez-g/|url-status=live}}</ref> contrary to the [[Constitution of Venezuela]], acclaimed as a fraud by the majority of the Venezuelan and international press.<ref name="larazon.net">{{cite web|title=Designaciones de magistrados son un fraude a la Constitución| url= http://www.larazon.net/2015/12/22/alberto-arteaga-sanchez-designaciones-de-magistrados-son-un-fraude-a-la-constitucion/|website=La razón|date=22 December 2015| language=es|access-date=15 May 2016|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160604021540/http://www.larazon.net/2015/12/22/alberto-arteaga-sanchez-designaciones-de-magistrados-son-un-fraude-a-la-constitucion/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="el-nacional.com">{{cite web|title= Designación de magistrados obvió fase de impugnación|url=http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Designacion-magistrados-obvio-fasede-impugnacion_0_766123536.html|website=El Nacional|language=es|access-date=15 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508161057/http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Designacion-magistrados-obvio-fasede-impugnacion_0_766123536.html|archive-date=8 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="bbc.com">{{cite web|title=Por qué importan tanto los magistrados que designó el chavismo en Venezuela| url= http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2015/12/151222_venezuela_tsj_magistrados_dp|website=BBC.com| date=23 December 2015|language=es|access-date=15 May 2016|archive-date=18 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318074402/http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2015/12/151222_venezuela_tsj_magistrados_dp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ntn24web.com">{{cite web|title=Designación de magistrados del TSJ en Vzla es un "flagrante fraude" a la Constitución|url=http://ntn24web.com/video/paso-a-vzla-chavismo-designo-nuevos-magistrados-83200|website=NTN24|access-date=14 May 2016|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616182412/http://ntn24web.com/video/paso-a-vzla-chavismo-designo-nuevos-magistrados-83200|archive-date=16 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ''Financial Times'' described the function of the Supreme Court in Venezuela as "rubber stamping executive whims and vetoing legislation".<ref name="broken system">{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/e619b1f6-2805-11e7-bc4b-5528796fe35c |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/e619b1f6-2805-11e7-bc4b-5528796fe35c |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access= subscription|title=Venezuela's broken system|last=Lansberg-Rodriguez| first=Daniel| date=2 April 2017|website=The Financial Times|page=11|access-date=24 April 2017}}</ref> The PSUV government used this violation to suspend several elected opponents.<ref>{{cite web|title=El Supremo suspende la proclamación de tres diputados opositores y uno chavista |url= http://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2015/12/31/5685209422601d9c788b4641.html|website=elmundo.es|date=31 December 2015|publisher=Unidad Editorial| language= es|access-date=15 May 2016|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160604131405/http://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2015/12/31/5685209422601d9c788b4641.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Maduro said that "the Amnesty law (approved by the Parliament) will not be executed" and asked the Supreme Court to declare it unconstitutional.<ref>{{cite web|title=Maduro pide al TSJ declarar 'inconstitucional' la Ley de Amnistía| url= http://elestimulo.com/blog/maduro-sobre-amnistia-tenemos-que-garantizar-que-esta-ley-sea-detenida/|website=El Estímulo|language=es|access-date=15 May 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160409201537/http://elestimulo.com/blog/maduro-sobre-amnistia-tenemos-que-garantizar-que-esta-ley-sea-detenida/|archive-date=9 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 16 January 2016, Maduro approved an unconstitutional economic emergency decree,<ref>{{cite web|title=Decreto de emergencia económica no puede pasar del 12 de mayo|url=http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Decreto-emergencia-economica-puede-pasar_0_793720683.html|website=El Nacional|access-date=14 May 2016 |language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160610160317/http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Decreto-emergencia-economica-puede-pasar_0_793720683.html| archive-date=10 June 2016}}</ref> relegating to his own figure the legislative and executive powers, while also holding judiciary power through the fraudulent designation of judges the day after the election on 6 December 2015.<ref name="prodavinci.com" /><ref name="larazon.net" /><ref name="el-nacional.com" /><ref name="ntn24web.com" /> From these events, Maduro effectively controls all three branches of government. On 14 May 2016, constitutional guarantees were in fact suspended when Maduro decreed the extension of the economic emergency decree for another 60 days and declared a State of Emergency,<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicolás Maduro decreta un nuevo Estado de Excepción y de Emergencia Económica en Venezuela|url=http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2016/05/160513_venezuela_maduro_emergencia_economica_ps|website=BBC.com |date=14 May 2016|access-date=14 May 2016|page=Spanish|archive-date=15 May 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160515114211/http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2016/05/160513_venezuela_maduro_emergencia_economica_ps|url-status=live}}</ref> which is a clear violation of the Constitution of Venezuela<ref>{{cite web| title= Prorroga del Decreto Emergencia Económica es inconstitucional |url= http://enpaiszeta.com/marquina-prorroga-del-decreto-emergencia-economica-es-inconstitucional/ |website=El Nuevo País|access-date=14 May 2016 |language=es| url-status=dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160605124340/http://enpaiszeta.com/marquina-prorroga-del-decreto-emergencia-economica-es-inconstitucional/|archive-date=5 June 2016}}</ref> in the Article 338th: "The approval of the extension of States of emergency corresponds to the National Assembly." Thus, constitutional rights in Venezuela are considered suspended in fact by many publications<ref>{{cite web |title= La ruptura democrática de Venezuela| url=http://runrun.es/opinion/261798/la-ruptura-democratica-de-venezuela-por-asdrubal-aguiar.html |website= RunRunes.es |date=14 May 2016|access-date=15 May 2016 |language=es|archive-date=15 May 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160515102351/http://runrun.es/opinion/261798/la-ruptura-democratica-de-venezuela-por-asdrubal-aguiar.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=La dictadura venezolana invitó al podemita que irá a la cárcel por pegar a un socialista|url=http://okdiario.com/espana/la-dictadura-venezolana-invito-al-podemita-que-ira-a-la-carcel-por-pegar-a-un-socialista-98237|website=OK Diario|date=30 March 2016|access-date=15 May 2016|language=es|archive-date=4 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504115310/http://okdiario.com/espana/la-dictadura-venezolana-invito-al-podemita-que-ira-a-la-carcel-por-pegar-a-un-socialista-98237|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=La dictadura venezolana reafirma su naturaleza|url=http://eju.tv/2016/04/la-dictadura-venezolana-reafirma-naturaleza/|website=Eju.tv|date=18 April 2016|access-date=15 May 2016|language= es| archive-date=1 May 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160501233503/http://eju.tv/2016/04/la-dictadura-venezolana-reafirma-naturaleza/|url-status=live}}</ref> and public figures.<ref>{{cite web|title=Expresidentes denuncian ruptura del orden constitucional y democrático en Venezuela|url=http://www.venezuelaaldia.com/2016/05/expresidentes-denuncian-ruptura-del-orden-constitucional-y-democratico-en-venezuela/|website=Venezuela al día|access-date=15 May 2016|language=es|archive-date=14 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514115819/http://www.venezuelaaldia.com/2016/05/expresidentes-denuncian-ruptura-del-orden-constitucional-y-democratico-en-venezuela/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Opositores denuncian 'ruptura del orden constitucional' en Venezuela |url= http://www.elpais.cr/2016/05/10/opositores-denuncian-ruptura-del-orden-constitucional-en-venezuela/|website=El País|date=11 May 2016|access-date=15 May 2016 |language=es|archive-date=12 May 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160512104327/http://www.elpais.cr/2016/05/10/opositores-denuncian-ruptura-del-orden-constitucional-en-venezuela/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Venezuela es una dictadura que no representa la división de poderes|url=http://www.elsalvador.com/articulo/internacional/venezuela-una-dictadura-que-respeta-division-poderes-110967|website=El Salvador|access-date=15 May 2016|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530153407/http://www.elsalvador.com/articulo/internacional/venezuela-una-dictadura-que-respeta-division-poderes-110967| archive-date=30 May 2016}}</ref>

On 14 May 2016, the [[Organization of American States]] was considering the application of the [[Inter-American Democratic Charter]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Jefe de la OEA estudia invocar Carta Democrática por Venezuela |url=http://www.laprensa.com.ni/2016/04/28/internacionales/2026877-jefe-de-la-oea-estudia-invocar-carta-democratica-por-venezuela|website=La Prensa|date=29 April 2016|access-date=15 May 2016|language=es|archive-date=2 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502095654/http://www.laprensa.com.ni/2016/04/28/internacionales/2026877-jefe-de-la-oea-estudia-invocar-carta-democratica-por-venezuela|url-status=live}}</ref> sanctions for non-compliance to its own constitution.

In March 2017, the Venezuelan Supreme Court took over law making powers from the National Assembly<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-39449494|title=Venezuela 'coup': Alarm grows as court takes power|date=3 March 2017|work=BBC.co.uk |access-date=31 March 2017|archive-date=13 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213023216/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-39449494|url-status=live}}</ref> but reversed its decision the following day.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Venezuela: Supreme court backtracks on powers bid|date=1 April 2017|work=BBC.co.uk|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-39468045|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-date=1 April 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170401134427/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-39468045|url-status=live}}</ref>