“They believe they are punishing us. With each sanction, we unite more,” Nicolás Maduro said this Thursday about the latest measures ordered by the United States. The main response came, however, from the National Assembly (AN). Parliament approved a regulation that contemplates tough sanctions against opponents who request or support economic measures against the Government. The so-called Organic Law of Liberator Simón Bolívar against the Imperialist Blockade and for the Defense of the Bolivarian Republic contemplates disqualification from holding public office for up to 60 years, prison of 25 to 30 years, confiscation of assets and even trials in absentia against opponents of the Palace from Miraflores. “Qthat they accuse us of treasonwhen we stop believing that this country is going to be free,” responded the opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado. On November 22, the leader of Vente Venezuela was charged with this crime for supporting pressure from Washington.
The AN gave the green light to the initiative in just a week of discussions between Maduro peers and in response to the hardening of the United States against Caracas in recent weeks. The political change in Washington, which at one point anticipates the magnate’s next administration Donald Trumphas been verified in a series of coordinated actions. The White House recognized Edmundo González Urrutia as “president-elect” on July 28, while the Treasury Department expanded the number of front-line officials of the Venezuelan Government subject to sanctions. At the same time, the North American Congress is preparing to approve by bipartisan consensus a law that will allow Trump to redouble economic pressures against the South American country.
“It is a progressive law”Maduro said. The president of the AN and one of the men closest to Maduro, Jorge Rodríguez, especially promoted this project that found nothing but exalted support. “There are times when countries must make complicated decisions like the one we are going to make today, but the most important thing is that it be done with greatness of spirit. There is nervousness about what will be approved here today, said pro-government deputy Roy Daza, when explaining the need for the initiative.
Rodríguez highlighted the importance of the new law allowing State institutions to act without waiting for a judicial sentence when it comes to disqualification from holding public office. Article 11 establishes a prison sentence of between 25 and 30 years, plus a large fine. The 14th authorizes the expulsion from the country of natural persons of foreign nationality involved in the activities subject to punishment. The actions are of an “imprescriptible” nature. Trials in absentia were approved in article 18.
The media printed, electronic and also social networkss were included in the new law to the extent that they spread expressions favorable to the measures taken by Washington.
Day of mobilizations
The opposition is preparing a new demonstration on Sunday in support of González Urrutia, who is exiled in Madrid. The protest, Machado said, is the beginning of a series of initiatives that seek to extend until January 10, when the change of command must take place.
Madurismo also intends to win the streets again next Sunday. The president himself called on his followers to leave their homes to “dance the drum and celebrate the four months of the great consolidated victory of the electoral process.”
According to Maduro, “sIf fascism says No to Christmas!, the people of Venezuela say Yes to Christmas! Yes to the party; yes to the bonuses; yes to the drum; yes to dancing; yes to the rumba; yes to peace; yes to life”
