The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) of Venezuela expressed this Sunday its support for the Vice President Delcy Rodríguezwho was summoned by the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) to take over as acting president. And he assured that he will guarantee the governability of the country, after the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. This during a United States military operation in Caracas and several areas surrounding this capital.
In a statement, read by the Minister of Defense, Vladimir Padrino Lópezthe Armed Forces supported the call made by the TSJ to Rodríguez. Although he pointed out that Maduro is “the authentic and genuine constitutional leader of all Venezuelans” and demanded that the United States release him immediately.
The president of the Constitutional Chamber, Tania D’Amelio, when reading a statement on Saturday night during a mandatory broadcast on radio and television, indicated that the TSJ made this decision after what she considered Maduro’s “kidnapping.” A situation that he described as “exceptional, atypical and force majeure not literally provided for in the Constitution.”
The objective, he continued, is guarantee the administrative continuity of the State and the defense of the nation. “Without this implying a substantive decision on the definitive legal classification of the presidential fault (temporary or absolute). Nor substituting the powers of other State bodies to carry out said classification in subsequent procedures.”
FANB assured that it will support Delcy Rodríguez
According to the article 234 of the Constitution Venezuela, temporary or absolute absences of the president will be made up for by the executive vice president for up to 90 days, extendable by decision of Parliament for the same period of time.
If an absence lasts more than 90 consecutive days, the text states, the Legislature will decide by a majority of its members if it should be considered that there is an absolute absence.
On the other hand, the FANB also said that it “fully” supports the state of external commotion. This is an unprecedented type of state of emergency that grants special powers to the State to take measures in conflict situations.
On September 29, Rodríguez, also the Minister of Hydrocarbons, announced in a meeting with the diplomatic corps in Caracas that Maduro signed the Foreign Shock Decree. That is, a document that would grant “special powers” to the president in the face of what he denounced as “threats” from the United States.
These powers include, for example, mobilize the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) throughout the territory. Also militarily and immediately take over the infrastructure of public services. As well as the hydrocarbon industry and basic companies. This is to guarantee its “full functioning” and activate “all citizen security plans.”
Constitutional experts have explained to EFE that The decree must be published in the gazette to know the scope of the measures that the State can take. Well, they are not specified in the law.
Venezuela was shaken early Saturday morning by detonations and the overflight of planes over Caracas and other states in the north of the country due to an attack by the United States, whose president, Donald Trump, later announced in a press conference that he would govern this country until there is a transition.
