Venezuela emergency decree boosts security powers amid political chaos

Venezuela’s army is to be backed by civilians grouped into ancillary security units, to tackle food shortages and public unrest, under a state of emergency decree published on Monday.

The decree, published in the government gazette, brings into effect for at least 60 days sweeping powers President Nicolas Maduro announced on Friday.

The measures give his government and security forces broad authorisation to ignore most constitutional safeguards in a bid to keep order and supply basic food and services, and to counter a crippling energy shortage.

But the opposition, which controls the National Assembly and is seeking Maduro’s ouster through a referendum, is to put the decree’s public-control measures to the test on Wednesday with nationwide marches.

Police and soldiers used tear gas to break up similar protests last week.

The developments threaten to deepen the crisis in the oil-rich South American country, whose oil-dependent economy is tottering dangerously.