It took the Supreme Tribunal a curt 53,765 words to work out the thorny interpretative matters the Constitution raises in this one hideously opaque, devilishly unclear seven-word clause.

Thank heavens we have Diosdado’s lawyers to explain to us, clear as day, why when Article 187, numeral 5 tries to spin us with impenetrable lawyertalk like:

Corresponde a la Asamblea Nacional decretar amnistías.

(The National Assembly may decree amnesties.)

What that really means is:

No corresponde a la Asamblea Nacional decretar amnistías.

(The National Assembly may not decree amnesties.)

Gracias, Diosdi! We couldn’t have done it without you.