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Venezuela’s Maduro Takes Legal Action Against Congress

El presidente de Venezuela Nicolás Maduro ofrece una conferencia de prensa en el palacio presidencial de Miraflores en Caracas, el martes 17 de mayo de 2016. Maduro acusó a Estados Unidos de planear un sabotaje contra Venezuela creando un escenario de violencia para justificar una intervención militar extranjera para sacarlo del poder. (Foto AP/Ariana Cubillos)

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro is taking legal action against congress, accusing the body of meddling in the country’s international relations.

Maduro on Friday asked the Supreme Court to take action against congressional leaders he accuses of trying to interfere with the executive branch’s duties by getting involved in foreign affairs.

The move follows a call by the head of the Organization of American States for an emergency meeting of regional governments to evaluate Venezuela’s respect for democracy. Congress had asked the OAS to take action against the Maduro administration.

Congress President Henry Ramos has defended that request to the OAS, and says politicians are allowed to speak their minds.

The opposition took control of Congress in January, but the Supreme Court has blocked all legislation it has tried to pass.