Venezuelan parliament OKs decree powers for president

CARACAS, Venezuela – The Venezuelan parliament on Sunday approved a law giving President Nicolas Maduro the power to legislate by decree for nine months in the face of what he described as threats by the U.S. government.

The so-called “anti-imperialist” law will be in effect from the time it is published in Venezuela’s Official Gazette until Dec. 31.

Maduro requested the expanded powers in response to new U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan officials accused of human rights violations. Critics of Venezuela’s government have called the move a power grab.