The assembly was scheduled to meet again Saturday, and Rodriguez pledged it would be taking action against Maduro’s political opponents. In a sign of its apparent demoralized state only a few hundred demonstrators showed up for Friday’s protest against the constitutional assembly, one of the smallest turnouts in months. “This is what the constitutional assembly will bring: more repression,” said opposition lawmaker Miguel Pizarro. However, Maduro accuses his opponents of using violence and argues that the constitutional assembly is the best way to restore peace. Opposition lawmakers have pledged to remain in power no matter what action is taken by the constitutional assembly, raising the possibility of two governing bodies operating side by side, with neither recognizing the other.

Source: Indian Express August 05, 2017 05:15 UTC