The National Assembly, controlled by Chavismo, approved a law to guarantee free trade and navigation against “piracy” and “blockade.”” of the United States against the sanctioned oil tankers. The law contemplates penalties of between 15 and 20 years of prison for those who support these acts.
Jorge Rodríguez, head of Parliament, reported that the law against piracy and the blockade was approved unanimously. “Consequently, the Law for the Protection of Freedoms of Navigation and Commerce against Piracy, Blockades and Other International Illegal Acts is declared sanctioned,” he said.
The standard seeks protect the economic activities of the Statebut it also reaches any entity that does business with the Venezuelan government.
“Any person who promotes, instigates, requests, invokes, favors, facilitates, supports, finances or participates in actions of piracy, blockade or other illicit international acts against legal entities that carry out commercial operations with the Republic and its entities by States, powers, corporations or foreign persons They will be punished with imprisonment of 15 to 20 years“says article 13 of the law, read by the Parliament Secretariat.
The law also establishes fines in bolivars equivalent to between 100,000 and 1 million times the highest exchange rate in the country. Currently, this corresponds to the euro rate published daily by the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV). Whoever receives a sanction could also end up seized by the State, because “the Domain Forfeiture Law“.
“The law is structured by two chapters and 11 items. Its main objective is to guarantee the freedoms of navigation and commerce,” said Congressman Giuseppe Alessandrello. With the law they intend to “protect Venezuelans from the acts of predation” that the United States is carrying out at sea.
With the approval of this law, the Chavista Parliament, which ends its legislative period this December, reached your 100th rule. On January 5, the new Assembly must be installed, which will also be controlled by the ruling party.
With information from EFE.
