 [Al Jazeera] Venezuela's new legislative superbody on Friday gave itself the power to pass laws, superseding the opposition-led congress and fuelling criticism by government adversaries that socialist President Nicolas Maduro is consolidating a dictatorship.
Delcy Rodriguez, a Maduro ally and president of the constituent assembly, insisted the move did not imply a dissolution of the congress.
"Those lazy bums have to work. What we are doing is telling them: 'Gentlemen, we are not going to let you take a holiday'," Rodriguez said in a reference to opposition politicians.
South American trade bloc Mercosur condemned the assembly for usurping congress's responsibilities, according to a statement released by Brazil's Foreign Ministry.
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