Venezuelan leader wraps up 'superpowers' with 28 laws

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro wrapped up a year of congressionally granted "superpowers" Wednesday by decreeing 28 new laws that analysts said would do little to salvage the troubled economy.

A year ago, the Venezuelan National Assembly, which is controlled by Maduro's United Socialist Party, granted the president the power to govern economic policy by decree for 12 months, ostensibly to fight corruption and the country's sharp economic downturn.

Maduro closed out the year by signing a tax increase on luxury goods, alcohol and tobacco, eliminating inflation adjustments on corporate taxes, and tightening controls to prevent businesses from making profits of more than 30 percent.

Other measures aim to fight monopolies, expand the state's role in the gold-mining industry and increase foreign investment.

http://news.yahoo.com/venezuelan-leader-wraps-superpowers-28-laws-223133595.html

Seems like another squandered opportunity.