US strongly condemns Constituent Assembly assumption of power in Venezuela

WASHINGTON, Aug 19 (KUNA) -- The US strongly condemned the "assumption of legislative powers by the illegitimate Constituent Assembly" in Venezuela on Friday, according to a release from the State Department.
"This power grab is designed to supplant the democratically-elected National Assembly with an authoritarian committee operating above the law. In our view, the democratically-elected National Assembly is the only legitimate legislative body," the statement said.
It added that as long as President Nicolas Maduro's regime "continues to conduct itself as an authoritarian dictatorship, we are prepared to bring the full weight of American economic and diplomatic power to bear in support of the Venezuelan people as they seek to restore their democracy." (end) ak.gta