Venezuelan parliament approves statute that will govern the democratic transition

The commission in defense of the Constitution, responsible for carrying the two discussions of this Statute, incorporated an article on assets recovered from the State and it is established that they will be used once the usurpation ceases

The National Assembly approved the law of the Statute that governs the democratic transition, which establishes the conditions for achieving the provisional government and free elections, in addition to the functions to be performed by the president of the AN and in charge of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó.

With five modifications and the incorporation of four articles within the text, three sections are established for a provisional government and the assumptions to continue not to cease the usurpation in the first instance, as established in the agenda reiterated by Guaidó since January 11.

With the changes, the president of the National Assembly is also allowed to designate the administrative boards for institutions, state entities, as well as Petróleos de Venezuela, Sociedad Anónima (PDVSA), including the holding company and Citgo.

Also in the new articles, specifically in article 15 of the Statute, the president in charge is allowed to appoint a special prosecutor, who will have all the obligations set forth in the laws, such as appointing representatives for international arbitrations, a direct response to the Cases of Crystallex and Citgo.

* Read also: Citgo's future is still unclear in the middle of the Venezuelan political diatribe

The commission in defense of the Constitution, responsible for conducting the two discussions and public consultations of this Statute, also incorporated an article on assets recovered from the State and states that they will be used once the usurpation ceases and the National Assembly must create a law special to dispose of them, according to Article 187 of the Constitution.

In addition, another point was incorporated where it is established that the agreements, laws approved and sanctioned by the Venezuelan Parliament will be published in the Legislative Gazette and will begin to take effect once this step is taken, even in its digital version.

The deputy Juan Miguel Matheus, who chairs the special commission, reiterated that this statute is a "channel to restore constitutional order in this country," despite acknowledging that it is not perfect but "picks up the democratizing impulse of all political parties within of the National Assembly framed in article 333 of the Constitution ".

Matheus ratified that this is not a "license for a free drawing" and fills in the gaps left by the usurpation, while leaving for granted the conformation of a provisional government established in Article 14 of the Statute.

The appointment of new rectors of the National Electoral Council, magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice and members of the Citizen Power (Public Prosecutor's Office, Procurator's Office and Public Defender's Office) are also included in the Statute.

For his part, Eustoquio Contreras called attention to the wording and content of several articles, especially the 14. "Where is the malice in the writing of these articles?" He asked.

The deputy of the dissident ruling group criticized that it is also said that for "factual impediments" rules are sought outside the Constitution to meet the appointment of new rectors of the CNE, and raised doubts about the duration of the lapses of the provisional government before the cessation of usurpation.

Omar Barboza responded that a mechanism must be established to avoid putting obstacles in the way of political actions and explained that once the usurpation by Nicolás Maduro ceases, elections will be held in a period of 30 days as established in article 233 of the Constitution.

"We can not sit idly by and wait to create a transition with the mechanisms imposed by those who usurp power," Barboza said.