The decree declaring a state of external emergency includes an order for the immediate search and arrest of anyone who promotes or supports the attack by US armed forces against Venezuela on January 3, in which President Nicolás Maduro was apprehended.
“National, state, and municipal police forces must immediately begin the search and arrest throughout the national territory of any person involved in promoting or supporting the armed attack by the United States of America against the territory of the Republic,” explains the decree, dated January 3 and published this Monday.
Those arrested under this provision must be brought before the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the criminal justice system for prosecution, “with full respect for all procedural guarantees inherent in due process and the right to defense.”
The text, which is valid for 90 days and renewable for another 90, also provides for increased patrols and security at land, air, and sea borders, as well as the militarization of public service infrastructure, the oil industry, “and other basic state industries.”
The state of emergency also includes extraordinary powers for the head of state—Delcy Rodríguez, in this case—such as the suspension of the right to assembly and demonstration.
It also allows Rodríguez to order the requisition of goods necessary for the defense of the country, restrict access to national territory, or close the borders.
It also empowers the acting president to “restrict the free movement of people or vehicles of any kind or type within the national territory,” “issue other exceptional and temporary regulations that are necessary to repel any external threat or hostile action and restore internal order and protect the rights of the population,” and “any other measure that may be necessary to protect the Venezuelan people, the integrity of the territory, and Venezuelan sovereignty.”
The decree must be submitted to the National Assembly within eight days of its issuance “for its consideration and approval,” the text itself explains.
