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CARACAS, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Venezuelan government on Thursday extended a state of economic emergency that allows the president to rule by decree.
The move extends, for the fourth time, President Nicolas Maduro's emergency powers for a period of 60 days.
Citing "economic warfare" by the country's right-wing political opposition, Maduro, who first declared a state of economic emergency on Jan. 14, said his government continued to face the same conditions.
"Given the extraordinary circumstances in social, economic and political areas that negatively impact constitutional order, peace, national security, public institutions and citizens," the state of emergency was extended, said the government gazette.
Venezuela's opposition holds the majority of seats in parliament, or the National Assembly, and the decree allows Maduro to bypass legislative gridlock.
