Venezuelan President Niсolas Maduro has called for early
elections to the National Assembly – a legislative body dominated by the
opposition and led by Juan Guaido who declared himself interim leader
last week.
Maduro's statement comes as thousands are rallying in the streets of Caracas both in support of and against his government.
Guaido's
coup received immediate support from the US and its allies in Latin
America and Europe while Russia, Mexico, China and other countries urged
not to interfere into the domestic situation in the country. The
political turmoil comes as Venezuela's economy has been plummeting due
to low oil prices, sanctions and mismanagement leaving most of its
population in poverty.
The regular parliamentary elections were expected to be held in
Venezuela in 2020. However, Maduro said that the body needs to be “re-legitimized” as he addressed a large crowd of his supporters during a rally in Caracas.
The
president said that he would consult the Venezuelan Constituent
Assembly – a body elected in 2017 to draft the new constitution – on the
issue. If the assembly backs the proposal the vote will be scheduled
for some time this year. Earlier, Venezuela’s Supreme Court declared all
acts of the National Assembly, headed by Guaido, as null and void.
Meanwhile, Venezuela continues to witness both pro and
anti-government rallies. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets
of the Venezuelan capital on Saturday to join a pro-government
demonstration to celebrate 20 years since the late Venezuelan president,
Hugo Chavez, launched the Bolivarian revolution.
A sea of people
can be seen flooding a kilometers-long stretch of Bolivar Avenue in
downtown Caracas to listen to Maduro’s speech. Crowds were waving
Venezuela’s national flags and holding placards with portraits of
Chavez.
Tens of thousands of people also gathered in the eastern
part of the capital for a rally organized by the opposition. The
national flag-waving crowds also occupied a long stretch in the city as
they came to listen to Guaido.
In his speech, Maduro hailed the determination and “deep loyalty” of the people as demonstrated over the last 20 years, and called on Guaido-led opposition to engage in a dialog.
The president appealed to the reason of the opposition politicians and said he is ready to meet them “the day they want.” He also said economics and “national peace” would be the focus of the conversation.
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