The controversial body, dominated by allies of President Nicolas Maduro, was created a year ago to supplant the opposition-controlled National Assembly, amidst deadly civilian protests. It is a superagency body with authority above all other government branches. Although it was expected to function for two years — ending in August 2019 — it has the authority to extend its own term indefinitely. The opposition accused Maduro of a “coup” in creating the constituent assembly to replace the legislative body of which he had lost control. Some 125 people died in protests in 2017 initially sparked by the arrest of several opposition leaders and then expanded after the pro-Maduro Supreme Court dissolved the opposition-led National Assembly.

Source: The Guardian July 30, 2018 19:07 UTC