Venezuela Once Again Suspends Key Constitutional Freedoms
Defying Congress, the government Friday again suspended key constitutional freedoms one day after legislators ordered them restored.
Justice Minister Ruben Creixems said the government was lifting protection against arbitrary search or arrest, the right to travel freely, the right to private property and protection against expropriation without proper reimbursement.
President Rafael Caldera first suspended these rights June 27, arguing that his government needed the muscle to suppress speculation and subversion that were destabilizing the nation.
But opposition parties banded together late Thursday to restore the guarantees, saying there was no evidence of a conspiracy against democracy and accusing the government of abusing its power in raids to round up alleged subversives.
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