CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuela’s president has declared a 60-day state of emergency to counter, what he calls, a domestic and US push to topple his administration amid the country’s economic woes.

Nicolas Maduro signed off on the measure and extended a state of economic emergency on Friday as a means of fending off “threats” from within and outside the country, without providing further details.

“Washington is activating measures at the request of Venezuela’s fascist right, who are emboldened by the coup in Brazil,” Maduro said, referring to Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff’s suspension from power on the back of a senate vote in favor of her impeachment trial.

The opposition, however, criticized the announcement as unconstitutional.

“Today, Maduro has again violated the constitution,” said opposition lawmaker Tomas Guanipa. “Why? Because he is scared of being recalled.”

The 53-year-old has been bequeathed a 17-year-old “socialist revolution” by his late predecessor, Hugo Chavez, likewise a stiff adversary of the US.

WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:

“Washington is activating measures at the request of Venezuela’s fascist right, who are emboldened by the coup in Brazil,” Maduro said, referring to Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff's suspension from power on the back of a senate vote in favor of her impeachment trial.
Nicolas Maduro signed off on the measure and extended a state of economic emergency on Friday as a means of fending off “threats” from within and outside the country, without providing further details.
The 53-year-old has been bequeathed a 17-year-old “socialist revolution” by his late predecessor, Hugo Chavez, likewise a stiff adversary of the US.