Five days after the nation voted, the elected members of Venezuela's National Constituent Assembly, ANC, were appointed on Friday. To celebrate their appointment, thousands of supporters joined a march to the legislative headquarters in Caracas.
As the 545 elected members entered the building at the Federal Legislative Palace in Caracas, supporters joined them holding paintings of independence hero Simon Bolivar and former president Hugo Chavez, leader of the Bolivarian Revolution.
During the ceremony, former Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez was unanimously elected as president of the body. Former Venezuelan vice presidents Aristobulo Isturiz and Isais Rodriguez were elected as first and second vice presidents of the body respectively.
"The same bourgeoisie that opposed Chavez's first National Constituent Assembly are today trying to silence the voices of the people in support of this one," Rodriguez said.
"The National Constituent Assembly breaks with the dark past of the fascist right."
The body's first act on Saturday will be to convene a Truth Commission to investigate the deaths that occured during the violent protests called by the right-wing opposition that sought to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from office.
Rodriguez also said the legislative body will promote a peaceful dialogue with the opposition to reach the end of the political conflict, and asked their leaders to cease any calls for violence.
“The Venezuelan people will not turn their fate to a violent minority,” Rodriguez said. “We've come to deepen our Constitution”
More than eight million people chose their representatives from 6,120 candidates in last weekend's poll. Maduro said the ANC will consolidate peace and unity in the country, adding that the final preparations are underway.
Plaza Bolívar, Caracas | Venezuelans celebrate the installation of the Natonal Constituent Assembly outside of the Legislative Palace. pic.twitter.com/APUZn9Oh8K— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) 4 de agosto de 2017
LIVE | The installation of Venezuela's National Constituent Assembly in the Legislative Palace is commencing now. #Constituyente pic.twitter.com/0fKG7oT9Ic— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) 4 de agosto de 2017
"The Constituent Assembly is crucial for the peace in Venezuela" #ConstituyentePuebloSoberano pic.twitter.com/ucVuWh4XBi— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) 4 de agosto de 2017
Maduro also welcomed the decision by some sections of the opposition, including the Democratic Action, A New Time and Advanced Progressive parties, as well as some members of Justice First, to take part in December's regional elections.
He said it was important to establish stability now after the campaign of violence generated by extremist opponents of his government.
Investigations are underway to establish the role of The People's Will, the party led Leopold Lopez, in the violence last Sunday which left several people dead. Lopez's house arrest was revoked on Tuesday for violating the conditions of the agreement which allowed his freedom under special conditions.
In the latest unrest, the Spanish embassy in Caracas has been attacked by two men on a motorbike. They threw molotov cocktails at the building before driving off. No one was injured and it's not clear who carried out the attack.
The new Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza has promised to bring those responsible to justice. Arreaza added that Maduro has ordered an immediate investigation.
Aseguramos al pueblo y Gob. de España que los responsables serán llevados ante la justicia. Juntos derrotaremos el terrorismo y la violencia— Jorge Arreaza M (@jaarreaza) 3 de agosto de 2017
We assure the people and government of Spain that those responsible will be brought to justice. Together we will defeat terrorism and violence.
Meanwhile, the United States has repeated its threats to bring about regime change in Venezuela. The State Department has issued a statement reiterating that it will not recognize the Constituent Assembly.
Its spokesperson, Heather Nauert tweeted that the election was a "disaster for democracy". Nauert also said the vote "lacked credible international observation".
But specially invited guests who went to Venezuela to watch the election say they were satisfied with the process.
Luis Jalandoni, Senior Adviser to the Negotiating Panel of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines said it was “very convincing”. While a Northern Irish member of parliament for Sinn Fein, Mickey Brady, described the vote as "fair and transparent".
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