Venezuela parliament debating removal of government-allied judges at Supreme Court

The opposition-controlled parliament in Venezuela has started debating a motion to dismiss pro-government Supreme Court judges accused of attempting a judicial “coup d'etat” by earlier voting to annul the legislature.

On Wednesday, Venezuela’s National Assembly started deliberations on a motion on the removal of the Supreme Court judges after their last week’s ruling to take over powers from the parliament.

The judges had ruled on transferring the assembly’s legislative powers to the court and revoking the lawmakers’ immunity from prosecution.

While the judgments were later reversed, the parliament now seems intent on exacting a revenge.

“They have carried out an ongoing internal coup,” said Henry Ramos Allup, a senior opposition deputy. “We have to escape from it by civil protests, exercising our constitutional functions, and not giving in to a failed, outlaw government.”

The Supreme Court move drew international criticism from the US, Europe, and Latin American powers, with the Organization of American States (OAS) voicing concerns that Venezuela was moving closer toward authoritarianism.

Venezuela’s major cities, including the capital, Caracas, were also the scene of clashes between riot police and protesters during demonstrations that began with the Supreme Court ruling but continued despite its revocation.

In the western city of San Cristobal on Wednesday, violence erupted between university students and police, leaving 21 people injured.

The opposition in Venezuela has capitalized on the intensified economic problems in the oil-rich country over the past years. It blames the severe shortage of food and medicine on the policies of Maduro and has called on the military to drop its support for the embattled president.

Maduro blames the opposition and its Western backers for the economic malaise.

The opposition has also been calling for the resignation of Maduro, who was elected in 2013 for a six-year term. There have been protests for and against the Venezuelan president in recent months.

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