A/HRC/45/CRP.11 political motives” between 1999 and 2017 (8 August);155 and declared that all public powers are subordinated to the National Constituent Assembly (8 August).156 91. On 18 August 2017, the National Constituent Assembly assumed legislative functions, stating that it has “the powers to legislate on matters directly aimed at guaranteeing the preservation of peace, security, sovereignty, [and] the socioeconomic and financial system”.157 92. In parallel, dissent within State and military ranks was growing and targeted repression of political dissidents increased. On 24 June 2017, in front of members of the armed forces, President Maduro referred to plans of a coup and said that all those detained are under military jurisdiction and will be “judged severely”. 158 He then referred to the various powers of the State present, including the Supreme Court and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, calling on them to take actions against “political leaders” who are plotting an overthrow, stating, “I am asking for justice. I am asking for jail”. 159 93. Amidst this crisis, the international community called for renewed dialogues. Meetings were held in December 2017 and January 2018 in the Dominican Republic, with the support of foreign ministers of Chile, Mexico, Nicaragua, Bolivia and Spain. 160 The discussions mainly revolved around the terms of the upcoming 2018 presidential elections. The Government made some concessions, including the release of 44 political prisoners in late December 2017.161 94. In 2017, according to results of a National Survey on Conditions of Life (ENCOVI), analyzed by Fundación Bengoa, 87 per cent of Venezuelans were living in poverty, without access to a basic family food supply.162 By 2018, an estimated 94 per cent of Venezuelans could not afford basic foods and services.163 D. May-December 2018: Disputed Presidential Election 95. Discussions between the Government and the opposition again broke down in January 2018. This was following a 23 January decree by the National Constituent Assembly, now with Diosdado Cabello presiding,164 declaring that the presidential elections would take place 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 22 Ley Constitucional de la Comisión para la Verdad, la Justicia, la Paz y la Tranquilidad Pública, Gaceta Oficial No. 6323, art. 1, 8 August 2017, available at: https://pandectasdigital.blogspot.com/2017/08/ley-constitucional-de-la-comision-para.html. Constitutional Decree of 8 August 2017, Normas para garantizar el pleno funcionamiento institucional de la Asamblea Nacional Constituyente en armonía con los Poderes Públicos constituidos, published in the Official Gazette No. 6323, 8 August 2017, available at: https://pandectasdigital.blogspot.com/2017/08/normas-para-garantizar-el-pleno.html. See YouTube, Luigino Bracci Roa, Asamblea Nacional Constituyente, sesión completa de 18 de agosto 2017, 19 August 2017, minute 26:00, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOl5BZiHHJE. YouTube Video, Luigino Bracci Roa, Presidente Nicolás Maduro, actos el 24 de Junio de 2017 desde Fuerte Tiuna, 14 June 2017, minute 1:57.00, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5gDK-ESiqI. Ibid., minute 2:02.00. See International Crisis Group, Containing the Shock Waves from Venezuela, 21 March 2018, available at: https://www.crisisgroup.org/latin-america-caribbean/andes/venezuela/65-containingshock-waves-venezuela Foro Penal, Foro Penal Venezolano contabiliza 44 liberaciones de presos políticos desde el 23 al lunes 25 de diciembre, 25 December 2017, available at: https://foropenal.com/foro-penal-venezolanocontabiliza-44-liberaciones-presos-politicos-desde-23-al-lunes-25-diciembre/. See Fundación Bengoa, National Report 2018, Complex Humanitarian Emergency in Venezuela, Right to Food, available at: https://www.fundacionbengoa.org/noticias/2019/Reporte%20Nacional%20EHC%20Derecho%20a%2 0la%20Alimentaci%C3%B3n%20y%20Nutrici%C3%B3n%20diciembre%202018%20Espa%C3%B1 ol.pdf. Ibid. Diosdado Cabello was fomerly President of the National Assembly.