Venezuela's National Assembly approves first reading of bill to regulate NGOs

FILE PHOTO: Venezuelan National Assembly's President Jorge Rodriguez poses with National Assembly member and Vice President of Venezuela's United Socialist Party (PSUV) Diosdado Cabello, First Vice president Pedro Infante and Second Vice president America Perez after the opening of the 2023 legislative period, in Caracas, Venezuela January 5, 2023. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's National Assembly on Tuesday passed a first reading of a bill to regulate and inspect non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the South American country, which has caused uproar among activists.

If the bill is passed into law following a second reading - promised to come quickly by National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez - advocacy groups fear it will silence Venezuela's NGOs and stop them from carrying out their work with new threats and intimidation.