Diosdado Cabello Claims Opposition Cannot Govern Under 1999 Constitution

Diosdado Cabello, a leading voice within Venezuela's United Socialist Party (PSUV), has delivered a stark assessment: the opposition simply cannot govern this nation within the framework of the 1999 Constitution. Speaking from a position of authority within the ruling party, Cabello articulated a view that any opposition ascent to power would inherently require a dismantling of the current constitutional order, which he deems incompatible with their political aspirations.

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They could not govern this country with this Constitution. They need to repeal this Constitution, eliminate it.

This assertion is not merely a theoretical point for Cabello; it is rooted in his interpretation of Venezuela's recent political history. He pointed to past events, such as the 2015 National Assembly and subsequent institutional shifts, as evidence that opposition forces, in his view, have historically sought to circumvent or discard the constitution when it suited their agenda. His strong declaration, "They will never be able to govern this country with this Constitution," underscores a deep-seated conviction within Chavismo about the perceived existential threat posed by opposing political factions to the Bolivarian project.

The timing of Cabello's statements is particularly significant. Venezuela is navigating a sensitive political period, marked by recent shifts in leadership and internal power dynamics following Nicolás Maduro's departure from the presidency earlier this year. This transition, now led by Delcy Rodríguez, has prompted a reconfiguration of the Chavista leadership, making pronouncements like Cabello's crucial in defining the party's stance and projecting an image of ideological coherence.

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That's why when the 2015 Assembly was installed, they generated a statute of the Constitution and threw the Constitution aside; they will never be able to govern this country with this Constitution.

From a Venezuelan perspective, Cabello's words reflect a long-standing narrative within the ruling party: that the 1999 Constitution is the bedrock of the current political system and a safeguard against what they perceive as destabilizing external and internal forces. While international observers might view this as political rhetoric, for many within Venezuela, particularly supporters of the government, it represents a defense of national sovereignty and the revolutionary legacy. The emphasis on the constitution as an unassailable pillar is a core element of the government's political discourse, distinguishing its vision from that of the opposition.

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Rest assured, that will not happen, that if they come to govern in 300 years, the first thing they will do is tear down this Constitution.