Venezuela opposition leader Capriles says army must choose

Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles has urged the army to choose whether it is "with the constitution or with (President Nicolas) Maduro", after a state of emergency was declared.

President Maduro has announced a 60-day emergency, giving soldiers and police wider powers to deal with the country's spiralling economic crisis.

Mr Capriles said the decree gave the president unconstitutional powers.

He called on Venezuelans to ignore it and take to the streets on Wednesday.

"We, Venezuelans, will not accept this decree. This is Maduro putting himself above the constitution," Mr Capriles told journalists.

"To impose this, he'd better start preparing to deploy the war tanks and military jets," he added.

"And I tell the armed forces: The hour of truth is coming, to decide whether you are with the constitution or with Maduro," he said...
 BBC
18/5/16
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• Venezuela president declares 60-day state of emergency, blaming US for instability ...

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2015:
 

• Maduro to stage world campaign to demand repeal of US sanctions

• Maduro Granted Power to Rule by Decree 

• Maduro seeks more powers to confront US 'aggression'