Venezuelan Supreme Court declares congress leaders in contempt, annulling their decisions

The Venezuelan Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) declared on Monday that the leaders of the National Assembly were in contempt of court, after they had refused to accept its decision regarding three right-wing deputies.

The court had ordered the provisional suspension of the swearing-in of three deputies pending an investigation into electoral fraud.

The court also declared all congressional decisions null and void, and the three deputies -- Nirma Guarulla, Julio Haron Ygarza and Romel Guzamana, all representing the southern state of Amazonas -- are barred from taking office.

The legislators, members of the right-wing coalition the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), which won a two-thirds majority last month in congress, were sworn in on Jan. 6, despite the court's Dec. 30 ruling.

The three seats are key since they would hand the MUD an absolute majority and therefore more power to sway legislation.

The court, in conjunction with the National Electoral Council (CNE), is investigating reports of alleged irregularities in Amazonas during the Dec. 6 elections.

The Assembly meets again on Tuesday, and Henry Ramos Allup, president of the opposition party, must ensure that the congress watches the court's decision, said the TSJ. Endi