Venezuela's Supreme Court ruled Monday the opposition-held National Assembly's actions are null and void after the new legislature defied its rulings, escalating the political turmoil gripping the crisis-hit country.
The decision, which applies to "all acts... that have been taken or will be taken" by the current National Assembly, comes after the legislature's new speaker swore in three opposition lawmakers whose inauguration had been barred by the court over an election dispute.
It declared the three lawmakers and the National Assembly's leadership in contempt of court and invalidated the legislature's actions for as long as the trio hold their seats.
The opposition coalition, the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), accuses embattled President Nicolas Maduro of packing the Supreme Court with his allies.