BUENOS AIRES - The separation of powers in Venezuela is still not functioning despite Saturday's reversal of a Supreme Court decision to annul Congress, Argentina Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra told reporters. Malcorra made the comment at a news conference after a meeting of the Mercosur trade bloc called to discuss Venezuela's political crisis. The bloc published a statement calling on Venezuela to take 'immediate concrete measures' to ensure the separation of powers. Venezuela's pro-government Supreme Court on Saturday revoked its annulment of the opposition-led Congress amid international condemnation and protests against socialist President Nicolas Maduro. 'Clearly, there is a situation in which the separation of powers, which is essential to democracy, is not functioning,' Malcorra said, citing the court's long-standing legal battles with Congress. Mercosur includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay and Argentina currently has the temporary presidency of the bloc. Venezuela was suspended from Mercosur in December.
