Venezuela's supreme court reversed controversial ruling on congress

Venezuela's Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) on Saturday reversed a controversial ruling on congress that some feared threatened to disrupt the balance of powers.

President Nicolas Maduro asked the TSJ in a late-night speech to review the ruling that sparked a crisis.

The dispute erupted on Wednesday, after the TSJ announced it was taking over some legislative functions, as the National Assembly was in contempt of court, rendering its actions ineffective.

The opposition-controlled assembly, however, claimed the move was a virtual coup designed to dissolve the legislature.

The nation's Attorney General Luisa Ortega Diaz also questioned the validity of the TSJ's measure on Friday, leading all sides to review the decision.

While announcing it was overturning its original ruling, the TSJ ratified its commitment to the rule of law.

TSJ President Maikel Moreno read a statement affirming that the different branches of government "operate independently, and any conflicts that arise can be resolved in keeping with the constitutional order."

Moreno added the constitutional court "guarantees parliamentary faculties will be exercised directly" by parliament.

The National Assembly has been considered to be in contempt of court since members ignored the TSJ and arranged for three opposition deputies to be sworn in last year, although their election wins were being investigated for voter fraud. Endi