Nicolás Maduro announced the activation in Venezuela of a controversial decree of "state of external commotion", amidst rising geopolitical tensions with the United States and with international attention focused on the Caribbean.
The measure, outlined in the Venezuelan Constitution, grants extraordinary powers to the Executive in the event of an external threat that jeopardizes national security.
What is the state of external commotion?
The "state of external commotion" is a legal figure provided for in Article 338 of the Venezuelan Constitution.
It allows the President of the Republic to declare a state of emergency "in the event of an internal or external conflict that seriously jeopardizes the security of the nation, its citizens, or its institutions."
This type of decree must be submitted within a maximum of eight days to the National Assembly - which has a chavista majority - and to the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, for it to determine its constitutionality.
In theory, its application is subject to strict limitations regarding time, proportionality, and respect for fundamental rights, although in practice, these conditions have been a topic of debate among human rights advocacy organizations.
Special powers for Maduro
According to Delcy Rodríguez, the decree grants Maduro expanded powers in key areas such as defense, security, and state administration.
Among the measures being considered would be:
Mobilization of the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) throughout the national territory.
Immediate and military takeover of strategic infrastructures, including public services, the oil industry, and basic enterprises "to ensure their full operation."
-Activation of all citizen security plans.
-Closure of land, air, and maritime borders.
-Restriction of constitutional guarantees in sensitive areas, not yet detailed by the Executive.
Rodríguez stated that the goal is to protect "the sovereignty, independence, and vital and strategic interests" of the country.
He also warned that "no one will be allowed inside or outside the territory to promote, support, facilitate, or make an apologia for an external military aggression against Venezuela," adding that these acts "would be judged according to the laws of the republic and with the full guarantees of the Constitution."
A decree amid military maneuvers and rising tensions
The announcement was made by the ruler himself during the broadcast of his television program Con Maduro+, where he stated that he had initiated the consultation process for the constitutional decree of a state of emergency to declare a state of external commotion.
The intention is "to protect our people, to protect our peace, our stability," he said.
The executive vice president and minister of hydrocarbons, Delcy Rodríguez, was the one to confirm that the decree has already been signed and is ready to be “activated immediately in the event of any form of aggression” by the United States, a country that the chavismo movement accuses of maintaining a destabilizing plan aimed at "regime change."
Rodríguez pointed out that the presence of U.S. ships near Venezuelan territory poses a direct threat.
"What the Government of the United States is doing today, the warmonger Marco Rubio against Venezuela, is a threat that is prohibited by the Charter of the United Nations," the official stated during a televised appearance, which also included diplomatic representatives and international organizations accredited in Caracas.
Response to a military threat or instrument of political control
The decree comes amid high tension with the United States, which is maintaining a naval presence in the southern Caribbean under the pretext of combating drug trafficking.
However, from Caracas, this presence is seen as a provocation that could precede a military intervention.
"The country has been attacked economically, psychologically, and politically, and it has always managed to move forward," Maduro stated, emphasizing the narrative of national resistance against alleged external conspiracies.
The hardening of the official discourse is also reflected in internal military exercises and a greater mobilization of the so-called "Bolivarian militias."
According to the Minister of the Interior, Diosdado Cabello, “anyone who opposes Venezuela being defended by any means and at any time is under general suspicion,” a warning that has been interpreted as a veiled threat towards internal political dissent.
Criticism and calls for transparency
Various civil society organizations, such as the NGO Access to Justice, have demanded that the government immediately publish the full text of the decree in the Official Gazette.
"The state of external commotion, being a state of exception, implies the restriction of guarantees to certain rights. Therefore, it is important that its dissemination occurs immediately," they stated in a statement.
So far, the Venezuelan government has not specified which rights would be suspended or how long these restrictions would be in place.
The lack of clarity has caused concern among independent sectors, who fear that the decree will be used to justify new waves of repression or political persecution.
Nationalist impulses and a climate of uncertainty
The president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, defended the measure before the diplomatic corps accredited in Caracas, accusing certain citizens abroad of inciting military actions.
“It’s easy to call for war when you’re abroad, but I live in Venezuela and I don’t want war,” he stated, making a clear reference to the opposition in exile.
Meanwhile, in the streets of Venezuela, there is a mixture of uncertainty and resignation.
Although the official narrative promotes national defense against an external threat, for many citizens, the real battle is fought against the daily economic crisis: inflation, the devaluation of the bolívar—the parallel dollar is quoted over 80% above the official value—and the collapse of basic services.
An internal and external gesture: the role of the UN General Assembly
Maduro has insisted that "the people are getting ready, preparing, uniting, always with God’s blessings ahead," and he has claimed the support of several countries in defense of Venezuela during the most recent UN General Assembly.
In his view, these demonstrations of international solidarity reinforce the legitimacy of the decree.
Delcy Rodríguez, for her part, made a direct appeal to former U.S. President Donald Trump: “A statesman, a head of state, a head of government, cannot have war on their agenda. What is the fate of warlike countries? It is to pay with their lives, the lives of their children, their grandchildren; it is to compromise the future of nations.”
The decree of external commotion is part of a dual strategy of chavismo: projecting strength and sovereignty outward, while reinforcing internal control in the face of an extremely fragile social, economic, and political context.
The measure significantly expands the power of the Executive, but it also raises serious questions about respect for fundamental freedoms, the separation of powers, and the political use of institutions.
While the government insists that it is a legitimate defense mechanism, for many analysts and civil organizations, the decree represents a new phase of authoritarian consolidation under the pretext of a military threat.
Frequently Asked Questions about the "State of Emergency" Decree in Venezuela
What is the state of external disturbance in Venezuela?
The state of external commotion is a legal concept outlined in Article 338 of the Venezuelan Constitution, which allows the president to declare a state of emergency in the event of internal or external conflict that jeopardizes the safety of the nation, its citizens, or its institutions.
What implications does the state of emergency decree have for Venezuela?
The state of emergency decree grants the government of Nicolás Maduro extraordinary powers in key areas such as defense and security. The measures include the mobilization of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, the seizure of strategic infrastructures, and the restriction of constitutional guarantees in sensitive areas.
Why has Maduro signed this decree?
Maduro has signed the decree in response to what he considers a military threat from the United States, which has deployed naval forces in the Caribbean. The Venezuelan government views these actions as provocations that could precede a military intervention.
What criticisms has the decree of external commotion received?
Various human rights organizations have criticized the decree, arguing that it could be used to justify new waves of repression or political persecution. Furthermore, they have demanded transparency and the immediate publication of the full text of the decree in the Official Gazette.
How does this decree affect the Venezuelan population?
The application of the decree on external commotion could mean the restriction of certain fundamental rights and an increase in military presence in the daily lives of citizens. The lack of clarity regarding which rights would be suspended raises concerns among the population.
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