Chavez’s Backers Declare Emergency

A constitutional assembly controlled by supporters of President Hugo Chavez declared a legislative emergency in Venezuela, usurping most of Congress’ functions. The move takes away the Venezuelan Congress’ right to pass laws and limits its duties to a narrow range of activities such as budget oversight. It is the latest development in an ongoing confrontation between the assembly--established last month to write a new constitution for Venezuela--and the legislative and judicial branches of government. Chavez says the assembly is the country’s supreme power, but opposition leaders say it has already far overstepped its bounds.