The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
March 12, 2015

Venezuelan Congress Advances Decree Powers for Maduro 
------------------------------------------------------


 
Venezuelan lawmakers have given initial approval to decree powers
allowing President Nicolás Maduro to make laws without their
involvement for six months. Maduro calls the powers a necessary step
against U.S. "aggression." The decree move comes after President Obama
imposed sanctions on top Venezuelan security officials and declared
Venezuela a national security threat, citing human rights concerns.
U.S.-Venezuela ties are at their lowest point since Maduro took office
in 2013, but Venezuela remains a top exporter of oil to the United
States.

 

.