A day after the Trump administration announced <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-goes-after-venezuelas-oil-to-hit-maduro-193555">sanctions against Venezuela's state-owned </a>oil firm PDVSA, Kremlin said the sanctions were "illegal".

"The legitimate authorities of Venezuela have already labelled these sanctions illegal. We can wholly support this point of view," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Peskov added that sanctions were an "overt intervention in Venezuela's domestic affairs" and a case of "illegal competition".&nbsp;

He said that Russia will strive to protect its interests "within the framework of international law".&nbsp;Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said that the new sanctions "violate all possible international norms" and show a course toward regime change in embattled Venezuela.&nbsp;

"The US has... publicly taken a course toward illegal regime change," he said Tuesday.&nbsp;

Venezuelan<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/maduro-vs-guaido-who-is-backing-whom-193331"> President Nicolas Maduro</a> while addressing the nation on television had said PDVSA would take "legal, political, operative, technical and commercial measures to defend interests of Venezuela in the United States."

The US had announced sanctions against Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA aimed at curbing its crude import to the country while pressuring Maduro to step down.

China meanwhile said the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uss-bolton-warns-venezuela-of-significant-response-if-juan-guaido-is-threatened-193282"> United States should bear responsibility</a> for the consequences of its sanctions on Venezuela. Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said historical experience showed foreign interference "only makes situations more complicated".

The United States is pushing to allow opposition leader Juan Guaido as the next president even as Maduro has refused to step down. Guaido accuses Maduro of stealing the election and wants new polls in the country.

"The relevant country's sanctions on Venezuela will lead to the deterioration of conditions of people's lives," China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, adding, "they should bear responsibility for the serious consequences from this."

Maduro hit back at US sanctions asserting that he will provide "reciprocal and convincing response needed to defend Venezuela's interests". Maduro's problems have been exacerbated by the fact that the United States is the biggest buyer of Venezuelan crude oil.

Juan Guaido ordered congress on Monday to appoint new boards of directors to state oil company PDVSA and US subsidiary Citgo in order to intensify pressure on his political opponent.

"If the people in Venezuela want to continue to sell us oil, as long as the money goes into blocked accounts we will continue to take it. Otherwise, will we not be buying it," US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said, with US national security adviser John Bolton adding that sanctions would block $7 billion in PDVSA's assets "plus over $11 billion in lost export proceeds over the next year."

A day after the Trump administration announced sanctions against Venezuela's state-owned oil firm PDVSA, Kremlin said the sanctions were "illegal". "The legitimate authorities of Venezuela have already labelled these sanctions illegal.

A day after the Trump administration announced sanctions against Venezuela's state-owned oil firm PDVSA, Kremlin said the sanctions were "illegal". "The legitimate authorities of Venezuela have already labelled these sanctions illegal. We can wholly support this point of view," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Peskov added that sanctions were an "overt intervention in Venezuela's domestic affairs" and a case of "illegal competition". He said that Russia will strive to protect its interests "within the framework of international law". Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said that the new sanctions "violate all possible international norms" and show a course toward regime change in embattled Venezuela. "The US has... publicly taken a course toward illegal regime change," he said Tuesday. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro while addressing the nation on television had said PDVSA would take "legal, political, operative, technical and commercial measures to defend interests of Venezuela in the United States." The US had announced sanctions against Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA aimed at curbing its crude import to the country while pressuring Maduro to step down. China meanwhile said the United States should bear responsibility for the consequences of its sanctions on Venezuela. Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said historical experience showed foreign interference "only makes situations more complicated". The United States is pushing to allow opposition leader Juan Guaido as the next president even as Maduro has refused to step down. Guaido accuses Maduro of stealing the election and wants new polls in the country. "The relevant country's sanctions on Venezuela will lead to the deterioration of conditions of people's lives," China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, adding, "they should bear responsibility for the serious consequences from this." Maduro hit back at US sanctions asserting that he will provide "reciprocal and convincing response needed to defend Venezuela's interests". Maduro's problems have been exacerbated by the fact that the United States is the biggest buyer of Venezuelan crude oil. Juan Guaido ordered congress on Monday to appoint new boards of directors to state oil company PDVSA and US subsidiary Citgo in order to intensify pressure on his political opponent. "If the people in Venezuela want to continue to sell us oil, as long as the money goes into blocked accounts we will continue to take it. Otherwise, will we not be buying it," US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said, with US national security adviser John Bolton adding that sanctions would block $7 billion in PDVSA's assets "plus over $11 billion in lost export proceeds over the next year."

Sanctions against Venezuela illegal, violates all possible international norms: Russia

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-calls-for-new-protests-as-pressure-on-maduro-rises-193505">Venezuela is in the grip </a>of a major crisis. It currently has two presidents. President Nicolas Maduro who was elected last year, and opposition leader Juan Guaidó who declared himself as the president. The world stands divided with United States and many European leaders recognising Guaido while Russia and other countries backing Maduro. In an exclusive conversation with our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Venezuela's ambassador to India Augusto Montiel spoke on the current situation in the country.

 
WION:&nbsp;How do you see the situation in your country?

Augusto Montiel: Very clearly its a coup which has been organised and financed by the government of United States. The truth about&nbsp;Venezuela has not been shown.&nbsp;

Millions of people are supporting President Nicolas Maduro, they are supporting the constitution of Venezuela, the institutions, but the international organisations are not showing it.&nbsp;

There is a coup of international proportions led by the government of US. No article of the constitution allows anyone to come up and become a president without the vote of Venezuelans. President Nicolas Maduro was elected in May 2018 and like always the US government did not recognise the elections. It only recognises the elections in which the opposition wins. President Maduro has 6 million votes and that should be respected.

WION: What is the rationale of US interference?

Augusto Montiel: It is obvious, Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world. And like they did with Iraq and 12 years later they came out and said they were misinformed after causing so much destruction. Now they want to control based on lot of lies distributed around the world. They want to control the largest oil reserves. They want to control the gold reserves of Venezuela. And they want to control the Latin American region. Everything is against democracy. Everything against international rule of law.

WION: European countries have given a deadline for election...

Augusto Montiel: Looks like we are going back to the imperial or colonial time&nbsp;when the big empires ruled. What is civilization for? What is the United Nations for? The advancement in civilisation is for dialogue and negotiation. The US government is now pushing, financing and equipping a different scenario - a second reality. This reality is fake news reality. The problems in Venezuela is for Venezuelans to solve. We can't accept any power to come just because they have military power. The economic sanctions have created misery.&nbsp;

WION:&nbsp;The&nbsp;US is hinting at a military intervention...

Augusto Montiel: Obviously, its a crime. They can exterminate any country. They have sufficient bombs. Whatever they doing is against the logic of co-existence and human rule of law because of greed for Venezuelan oil. We will defend it. After destroying Libya, Iraq, Syria, what they want is to create a situation of terror in Venezuela. These are imperial desires of the US government.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see India's reaction?

Augusto Montiel: New Delhi has clearly stated problems of Venezuela and the electoral and democratic situation must be solved by Venezuelans and not by anyone coming from outside by a foreign country, by military power exerting and giving instructions and dictating politicians who do not want freedom and independence of Venezuela.

India has stated also, anything that happens there must not include violence, must not include war. Venezuela is a country that likes and bases its international relations on diplomacy of peace. We are there to share our oil on the basis of fair trade, on the basis of cooperation and friendship. We will make sure democracy and international cooperation prevails. This is what multilateralism is about.

We don't want the government of the United States to try to destroy multilateral environment which is keeping the world at balance. We can't lose that balance. Maduro is pushing for rule of law and democracy in every country.

Venezuela is in the grip of a major crisis. It currently has two presidents. President Nicolas Maduro who was elected last year, and opposition leader Juan Guaidó who declared himself as the president.

Venezuela is in the grip of a major crisis. It currently has two presidents. President Nicolas Maduro who was elected last year, and opposition leader Juan Guaidó who declared himself as the president. The world stands divided with United States and many European leaders recognising Guaido while Russia and other countries backing Maduro. In an exclusive conversation with our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Venezuela's ambassador to India Augusto Montiel spoke on the current situation in the country. WION: How do you see the situation in your country? Augusto Montiel: Very clearly its a coup which has been organised and financed by the government of United States. The truth about Venezuela has not been shown. Millions of people are supporting President Nicolas Maduro, they are supporting the constitution of Venezuela, the institutions, but the international organisations are not showing it. There is a coup of international proportions led by the government of US. No article of the constitution allows anyone to come up and become a president without the vote of Venezuelans. President Nicolas Maduro was elected in May 2018 and like always the US government did not recognise the elections. It only recognises the elections in which the opposition wins. President Maduro has 6 million votes and that should be respected. WION: What is the rationale of US interference? Augusto Montiel: It is obvious, Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world. And like they did with Iraq and 12 years later they came out and said they were misinformed after causing so much destruction. Now they want to control based on lot of lies distributed around the world. They want to control the largest oil reserves. They want to control the gold reserves of Venezuela. And they want to control the Latin American region. Everything is against democracy. Everything against international rule of law. WION: European countries have given a deadline for election... Augusto Montiel: Looks like we are going back to the imperial or colonial time when the big empires ruled. What is civilization for? What is the United Nations for? The advancement in civilisation is for dialogue and negotiation. The US government is now pushing, financing and equipping a different scenario - a second reality. This reality is fake news reality. The problems in Venezuela is for Venezuelans to solve. We can't accept any power to come just because they have military power. The economic sanctions have created misery. WION: The US is hinting at a military intervention... Augusto Montiel: Obviously, its a crime. They can exterminate any country. They have sufficient bombs. Whatever they doing is against the logic of co-existence and human rule of law because of greed for Venezuelan oil. We will defend it. After destroying Libya, Iraq, Syria, what they want is to create a situation of terror in Venezuela. These are imperial desires of the US government. WION: How do you see India's reaction? Augusto Montiel: New Delhi has clearly stated problems of Venezuela and the electoral and democratic situation must be solved by Venezuelans and not by anyone coming from outside by a foreign country, by military power exerting and giving instructions and dictating politicians who do not want freedom and independence of Venezuela. India has stated also, anything that happens there must not include violence, must not include war. Venezuela is a country that likes and bases its international relations on diplomacy of peace. We are there to share our oil on the basis of fair trade, on the basis of cooperation and friendship. We will make sure democracy and international cooperation prevails. This is what multilateralism is about. We don't want the government of the United States to try to destroy multilateral environment which is keeping the world at balance. We can't lose that balance. Maduro is pushing for rule of law and democracy in every country.

After Libya, Iraq & Syria, US is coming after us: Venezuela ambassador Augusto Montiel

Juan Guaido, the Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed president, on Monday called for new street demonstrations as pressure intensified on President Nicolas Maduro and the crisis-stricken OPEC nation.

Countries around the world have recognized Guaido as Venezuela's rightful leader, and the United States vowed to starve Maduro's administration of oil revenue after he was sworn on January 10 for a second term that was widely dubbed illegitimate.

Maduro says the United States is promoting a coup against him and promised to stay in office, backed by Russia and China, which have bankrolled his government and fought off efforts to have his government disavowed by the United Nations.

Guaido said opposition sympathizers should take to the streets on Wednesday to pass out copies of a pamphlet proposing amnesty that would give some legal protection to members of the military in hopes they will turn against Maduro.

"We must remain united as active agents of change in every corner of the country," Guaido tweeted on Monday. "We're doing well, very well, Venezuela!"

On Sunday, Israel and Australia joined countries backing the 35-year-old Guaido, and US President Donald Trump said his government had accepted Venezuelan opposition figure Carlos Alfredo Vecchio as a diplomatic representative to the United States.

Guaido took advantage of a major street demonstration on January&nbsp;23 to swear himself in as the country's rightful leader, accusing Maduro of usurping power following a disputed 2018 re-election that countries around the world described as a fraud.

Guaido is asking for help in getting control of the Venezuelan government's offshore assets.

In recent days, he urged British Prime Minister Theresa May and Bank of England Governor Mark Carney to block Maduro's government from collecting more than $1 billion in gold held by the Bank of England.

Venezuela's once-buoyant socialist economic system has imploded from corruption and mismanagement since the collapse of world oil prices in 2014, pushing inflation to almost 2 million per cent and driving millions of Venezuelans to neighbouring countries.

Maduro says his government is the victim of an "economic war" led by his political adversaries with the help of Washington, which has levied several rounds of sanctions against the country since 2017.

Juan Guaido, the Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed president, on Monday called for new street demonstrations as pressure intensified on President Nicolas Maduro and the crisis-stricken OPEC nation.

Juan Guaido, the Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed president, on Monday called for new street demonstrations as pressure intensified on President Nicolas Maduro and the crisis-stricken OPEC nation. Countries around the world have recognized Guaido as Venezuela's rightful leader, and the United States vowed to starve Maduro's administration of oil revenue after he was sworn on January 10 for a second term that was widely dubbed illegitimate. Maduro says the United States is promoting a coup against him and promised to stay in office, backed by Russia and China, which have bankrolled his government and fought off efforts to have his government disavowed by the United Nations. Guaido said opposition sympathizers should take to the streets on Wednesday to pass out copies of a pamphlet proposing amnesty that would give some legal protection to members of the military in hopes they will turn against Maduro. "We must remain united as active agents of change in every corner of the country," Guaido tweeted on Monday. "We're doing well, very well, Venezuela!" On Sunday, Israel and Australia joined countries backing the 35-year-old Guaido, and US President Donald Trump said his government had accepted Venezuelan opposition figure Carlos Alfredo Vecchio as a diplomatic representative to the United States. Guaido took advantage of a major street demonstration on January 23 to swear himself in as the country's rightful leader, accusing Maduro of usurping power following a disputed 2018 re-election that countries around the world described as a fraud. Guaido is asking for help in getting control of the Venezuelan government's offshore assets. In recent days, he urged British Prime Minister Theresa May and Bank of England Governor Mark Carney to block Maduro's government from collecting more than $1 billion in gold held by the Bank of England. Venezuela's once-buoyant socialist economic system has imploded from corruption and mismanagement since the collapse of world oil prices in 2014, pushing inflation to almost 2 million per cent and driving millions of Venezuelans to neighbouring countries. Maduro says his government is the victim of an "economic war" led by his political adversaries with the help of Washington, which has levied several rounds of sanctions against the country since 2017.

Venezuela's Guaido calls for new protests as pressure on Maduro rises

Venezuela's military attache to Washington broke ranks with Nicolas Maduro on Saturday, urging his "brothers in the military" to back the head of the National Assembly <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-opposition-leader-cranks-up-pressure-on-maduro-192958">Juan </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-opposition-leader-cranks-up-pressure-on-maduro-192958">Guaido</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-opposition-leader-cranks-up-pressure-on-maduro-192958"> as interim president</a>, he told AFP.

"This defence attache does not recognise Nicolas Maduro as president, considering him a usurper, and recognises Juan Guaido as the legitimate interim president," Colonel Jose Luis Silva said.

"This position is consistent with the constitution and laws of Venezuela and I call upon my brothers in the military to join in supporting Guaido."

Venezuela's military attache to Washington broke ranks with Nicolas Maduro on Saturday, urging his "brothers in the military" to back the head of the National Assembly Juan Guaido as interim president, he told AFP.

Venezuela's military attache to Washington broke ranks with Nicolas Maduro on Saturday, urging his "brothers in the military" to back the head of the National Assembly Juan Guaido as interim president, he told AFP. "This defence attache does not recognise Nicolas Maduro as president, considering him a usurper, and recognises Juan Guaido as the legitimate interim president," Colonel Jose Luis Silva said. "This position is consistent with the constitution and laws of Venezuela and I call upon my brothers in the military to join in supporting Guaido."

Venezuela military attache to US urges army to back Maduro opponent

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-pushes-un-security-council-to-back-venezuelas-guaido-192888&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwizucq-pYvgAhUIqY8KHfHwARsQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3FhOz_myvOT-6ciiCFVEx9">Venezuela</a>'s opposition leader has stepped up his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro, rejecting an offer of talks with the socialist leader and calling for a "major demonstration."

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-opposition-leader-juan-guaido-rules-out-crisis-talks-says-maduro-can-not-be-trusted-192823">National Assembly head Juan Guaido</a>, who proclaimed himself acting president during massive street rallies, said Friday that he wouldn't attend a "fake dialogue" on a crisis that has left 26 dead this week in clashes between anti-Maduro activists and security forces.

After four years of economic pain that has left Venezuelans short of food and medicine and driven more than two million to flee the country — which sits on the world's largest oil reserves — the opposition found its voice this month in Guaido after Maduro was sworn in for a second presidential term following controversial elections.

International pressure on the Maduro regime to agree to a new vote is also mounting.&nbsp;

On Saturday at a UN Security Council meeting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will urge members to recognize Guaido as interim president, the State Department said.

And a European Union diplomat told AFP the bloc wanted "an immediate call for elections in the near future."

Mexico had offered to host talks between the rival leaders, and Maduro professed he was ready to go "wherever I have to" in order to meet "that young man."&nbsp;

But Guaido, who also has support from several Latin American countries, told supporters in Caracas the public would remain in the streets "until we achieve an end to the usurpation, a transitional government and free elections."

He accused Maduro of only offering talks after "repression" failed to achieve its objectives.

US issues economic warning&nbsp;

President Donald Trump's administration has spearheaded the international pressure on Maduro, who accuses Washington of being behind an attempted "coup," by declaring his regime "illegitimate."

On Friday, Pompeo announced that Washington was naming Elliot Abrams — a central figure in president Ronald Reagan's controversial anti-communist campaigns in Central America during the 1980s — as its new envoy to lead efforts to help Venezuela "in achieving democracy."&nbsp;

Washington's support for Guaido led Maduro, who nominally retains the support of the Venezuelan military, to close the US embassy and consulates and break diplomatic ties.

US diplomats in Venezuela have until Saturday to leave the country, but Washington has refused to fully comply fully with the exit order.

Guaido is instead urging the US diplomats to stay and keep the embassy's doors open.

Despite the diplomatic sparring, Maduro on Friday said Venezuela will continue to sell oil to the United States, which private consultants say provides the largest source of cash to his country's coffers.

"If they buy our oil, we will sell oil," Maduro said.

But the US Treasury Department warned that "commercial transactions by the Venezuelan Government, including those involving its state-owned enterprises and international reserves" must be consistent with Washington's recognition of Guaido.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov — whose country is Venezuela's second-largest creditor and a military ally — denounced US policy on Venezuela as "destructive."&nbsp;

Spain pushed the EU to recognize Guaido's claims to the presidency if no new elections are held, while Germany said it may follow suit.

France warned Maduro against "any form of repression" of the opposition as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said more than 350 people were arrested this week during the protests.

The Inter-American Human Rights Commission late Friday issued a statement warning that Guaido's life and health were in danger given the high political tension in the country.

Maduro's re-election last year was boycotted by the opposition and rejected by the US, EU and UN as a sham — but the military has repeatedly reiterated its loyalty to the socialist leader.

Galvanized opposition 
&nbsp; 
Guaido, 35, has galvanized a previously divided opposition and even attempted to attract military support by offering an amnesty to anyone who disavows Maduro.

In a Skype interview with Univision late Thursday, he went one step further by suggesting Maduro could be offered amnesty if he agrees to step down.

But such an option would have to be evaluated, he said, because Maduro is responsible for the deaths of protesters.

Guaido continues to seek military support and has tasked supporters with handing out copies of a draft amnesty law to soldiers.

Analysts at the Eurasia Group consultancy noted that while international recognition of Guaido as interim president cemented his position as the main opposition leader, his failure to win over the military meant Maduro's fall "does not appear imminent."

Venezuela's political crisis escalated after a group of soldiers rose up against Maduro and sparked a number of protests leading up to Wednesday's rival rallies of pro and anti-Maduro groups.

Guaido's proclamation as acting president drew recognition from major regional players including Brazil and Argentina, as well as the United States.

Trump has mused about military intervention in Venezuela, saying "all options are on the table," but Russia said that "violates the fundamental norms of international law."

Maduro came to power in 2013 as the designated heir to the late and hugely-popular Hugo Chavez.

Venezuela's opposition leader has stepped up his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro, rejecting an offer of talks with the socialist leader and calling for a "major demonstration.

Venezuela's opposition leader has stepped up his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro, rejecting an offer of talks with the socialist leader and calling for a "major demonstration." National Assembly head Juan Guaido, who proclaimed himself acting president during massive street rallies, said Friday that he wouldn't attend a "fake dialogue" on a crisis that has left 26 dead this week in clashes between anti-Maduro activists and security forces. After four years of economic pain that has left Venezuelans short of food and medicine and driven more than two million to flee the country — which sits on the world's largest oil reserves — the opposition found its voice this month in Guaido after Maduro was sworn in for a second presidential term following controversial elections. International pressure on the Maduro regime to agree to a new vote is also mounting. On Saturday at a UN Security Council meeting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will urge members to recognize Guaido as interim president, the State Department said. And a European Union diplomat told AFP the bloc wanted "an immediate call for elections in the near future." Mexico had offered to host talks between the rival leaders, and Maduro professed he was ready to go "wherever I have to" in order to meet "that young man." But Guaido, who also has support from several Latin American countries, told supporters in Caracas the public would remain in the streets "until we achieve an end to the usurpation, a transitional government and free elections." He accused Maduro of only offering talks after "repression" failed to achieve its objectives. US issues economic warning President Donald Trump's administration has spearheaded the international pressure on Maduro, who accuses Washington of being behind an attempted "coup," by declaring his regime "illegitimate." On Friday, Pompeo announced that Washington was naming Elliot Abrams — a central figure in president Ronald Reagan's controversial anti-communist campaigns in Central America during the 1980s — as its new envoy to lead efforts to help Venezuela "in achieving democracy." Washington's support for Guaido led Maduro, who nominally retains the support of the Venezuelan military, to close the US embassy and consulates and break diplomatic ties. US diplomats in Venezuela have until Saturday to leave the country, but Washington has refused to fully comply fully with the exit order. Guaido is instead urging the US diplomats to stay and keep the embassy's doors open. Despite the diplomatic sparring, Maduro on Friday said Venezuela will continue to sell oil to the United States, which private consultants say provides the largest source of cash to his country's coffers. "If they buy our oil, we will sell oil," Maduro said. But the US Treasury Department warned that "commercial transactions by the Venezuelan Government, including those involving its state-owned enterprises and international reserves" must be consistent with Washington's recognition of Guaido. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov — whose country is Venezuela's second-largest creditor and a military ally — denounced US policy on Venezuela as "destructive." Spain pushed the EU to recognize Guaido's claims to the presidency if no new elections are held, while Germany said it may follow suit. France warned Maduro against "any form of repression" of the opposition as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said more than 350 people were arrested this week during the protests. The Inter-American Human Rights Commission late Friday issued a statement warning that Guaido's life and health were in danger given the high political tension in the country. Maduro's re-election last year was boycotted by the opposition and rejected by the US, EU and UN as a sham — but the military has repeatedly reiterated its loyalty to the socialist leader. Galvanized opposition Guaido, 35, has galvanized a previously divided opposition and even attempted to attract military support by offering an amnesty to anyone who disavows Maduro. In a Skype interview with Univision late Thursday, he went one step further by suggesting Maduro could be offered amnesty if he agrees to step down. But such an option would have to be evaluated, he said, because Maduro is responsible for the deaths of protesters. Guaido continues to seek military support and has tasked supporters with handing out copies of a draft amnesty law to soldiers. Analysts at the Eurasia Group consultancy noted that while international recognition of Guaido as interim president cemented his position as the main opposition leader, his failure to win over the military meant Maduro's fall "does not appear imminent." Venezuela's political crisis escalated after a group of soldiers rose up against Maduro and sparked a number of protests leading up to Wednesday's rival rallies of pro and anti-Maduro groups. Guaido's proclamation as acting president drew recognition from major regional players including Brazil and Argentina, as well as the United States. Trump has mused about military intervention in Venezuela, saying "all options are on the table," but Russia said that "violates the fundamental norms of international law." Maduro came to power in 2013 as the designated heir to the late and hugely-popular Hugo Chavez.

Venezuela: Opposition leader Guaido steps up campaign to oust Maduro; calls for 'major demonstration'

Venezuela to shut US embassy, consulates: Maduro

India on Friday reacted to the recent developments in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-to-close-us-embassy-consulates-maduro-192578">Venezuela</a> and stated that it is "closely following the emerging situation" in the country.

The official spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar, said, "We are of the view that it is for the people of Venezuela to find a political solution to resolve their differences through constructive dialogue and discussion without resorting to violence."

"We believe democracy, peace and security in Venezuela are of paramount importance for the progress and prosperity of the people of Venezuela," Kumar further added.&nbsp;

Venezuela is the 4th largest supplier of crude oil to India.

The MEA's reaction came after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-seeks-to-cut-off-money-for-venezuelas-maduro-to-aid-opposition-192613">United States</a>, earlier this week, officially recognised <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-regional-powers-recognise-maduro-opponent-as-venezuela-leader-192345">Juan Guaidó as the interim President</a> of Venezuela and called Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's regime "illegitimate."

In a tweet, US President Donald Trump said, "The citizens of Venezuela have suffered for too long at the hands of the illegitimate Maduro regime. Today, I have officially recognized the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, as the Interim President of Venezuela."

Russia slammed "Washington’s unceremonious actions". The Russia foreign ministry in a statement said, " (it is) another demonstration of its total disregard for the norms and principles of international law and an attempt to pose as the self-imposed master of another nation’s future. The United States is clearly trying to apply a tried and tested regime change scenario in Venezuela."

China also reacted with Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying saying Beijing "supports the efforts made by the Venezuelan government to uphold national sovereignty, independence and stability" and it "always upholds the principle of non-interference in other counties' internal affairs and opposes foreign interference in Venezuela's affairs."&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

India on Friday reacted to the recent developments in Venezuela and stated that it is "closely following the emerging situation" in the country. The official spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar, said, "We are of the view that it is for the people of Venezuela to find a political solution to resolve their differences through constructive dialogue and discussion without resorting to violence.

India on Friday reacted to the recent developments in Venezuela and stated that it is "closely following the emerging situation" in the country. The official spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar, said, "We are of the view that it is for the people of Venezuela to find a political solution to resolve their differences through constructive dialogue and discussion without resorting to violence." "We believe democracy, peace and security in Venezuela are of paramount importance for the progress and prosperity of the people of Venezuela," Kumar further added. Venezuela is the 4th largest supplier of crude oil to India. The MEA's reaction came after the United States, earlier this week, officially recognised Juan Guaidó as the interim President of Venezuela and called Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's regime "illegitimate." In a tweet, US President Donald Trump said, "The citizens of Venezuela have suffered for too long at the hands of the illegitimate Maduro regime. Today, I have officially recognized the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, as the Interim President of Venezuela." Russia slammed "Washington’s unceremonious actions". The Russia foreign ministry in a statement said, " (it is) another demonstration of its total disregard for the norms and principles of international law and an attempt to pose as the self-imposed master of another nation’s future. The United States is clearly trying to apply a tried and tested regime change scenario in Venezuela." China also reacted with Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying saying Beijing "supports the efforts made by the Venezuelan government to uphold national sovereignty, independence and stability" and it "always upholds the principle of non-interference in other counties' internal affairs and opposes foreign interference in Venezuela's affairs."

India reacts to US-Venezuela spat, says differences must be resolved without resorting to violence

The leader of Venezuela's opposition-led Congress said on Friday he was prepared to assume the country's presidency on an interim basis and call elections, just one day after leftist <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-president-maduro-starts-new-term-shrugs-off-criticism-189465">President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in </a>for a disputed second term.

Juan Guaido, a lawmaker from the hard-line Popular Will opposition party who was elected to head the National Assembly on January 5, said he would only take office with the support of the armed forces. He also called for protests on January 23, the anniversary of the fall of a military dictatorship in 1958.

"It should be the people of Venezuela, the armed forces, and the international community that give us a clear mandate to assume" the presidency, Guaido said in a speech to supporters outside the United Nations (UN) programme office in Caracas.

Maduro was re-elected last year in a vote that was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-parliament-rejects-legitimacy-of-maduro-second-term-188466">widely dismissed as fraudulent</a>, and countries around the world have called his continued leadership illegitimate. Ruling Socialist Party leaders have described the criticism as colonialist interference led by the United States.

The Supreme Court and an all-powerful legislature called the Constituent Assembly have stripped Congress of its powers, meaning it does not have the capacity to remove the president as would a legislature in many countries.

Guaido's comments, however, caused some confusion.

Luis Almagro, head of regional diplomatic group the Organisation of American States, tweeted that Guaido had assumed the interim presidency of Venezuela. Guaido did not respond to a message seeking clarification.

The country's perennially fractured opposition has made numerous failed attempts over the past 20 years to remove the ruling socialists. Now, opposition leaders have disavowed Maduro's second term as illegitimate, and have called for the National Assembly to declare the presidency vacant.

The country's constitution says a presidential vacancy can be filled by the head of the legislature, and some opposition activists have called on Guaido to assume the presidency.

Maduro's allies were quick to denounce Guaido. Prisons Minister Iris Varela appeared to threaten to jail him, although she has previously threatened other opposition members who remain free. "Guaido, I already got your cell ready, with your uniform," Varela wrote on Twitter.

The opposition has promised to keep up the pressure. Some 2,000 people gathered outside the UN site listening to opposition lawmakers and civil society leaders denounce Maduro as a "usurper."

"[Congress] is the only legitimate power that we have," said Servando Valecillos, a 67-year-old salesman and one of the protesters.

Maduro's critics accuse him of creating a dictatorship and destroying the OPEC nation's economy.

Venezuela is experiencing the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/venezuela-in-crisis-health-situation-worst-in-history-189027">worst economic crisis in its history</a>, with inflation headed towards 2 million per cent. Some three million people have left the country amid chronic shortages of food and medicine.

Maduro says the country is victim of an "economic war" led by his political adversaries with the help of Washington.

The leader of Venezuela's opposition-led Congress said on Friday he was prepared to assume the country's presidency on an interim basis and call elections, just one day after leftist President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a disputed second term.

The leader of Venezuela's opposition-led Congress said on Friday he was prepared to assume the country's presidency on an interim basis and call elections, just one day after leftist President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a disputed second term. Juan Guaido, a lawmaker from the hard-line Popular Will opposition party who was elected to head the National Assembly on January 5, said he would only take office with the support of the armed forces. He also called for protests on January 23, the anniversary of the fall of a military dictatorship in 1958. "It should be the people of Venezuela, the armed forces, and the international community that give us a clear mandate to assume" the presidency, Guaido said in a speech to supporters outside the United Nations (UN) programme office in Caracas. Maduro was re-elected last year in a vote that was widely dismissed as fraudulent, and countries around the world have called his continued leadership illegitimate. Ruling Socialist Party leaders have described the criticism as colonialist interference led by the United States. The Supreme Court and an all-powerful legislature called the Constituent Assembly have stripped Congress of its powers, meaning it does not have the capacity to remove the president as would a legislature in many countries. Guaido's comments, however, caused some confusion. Luis Almagro, head of regional diplomatic group the Organisation of American States, tweeted that Guaido had assumed the interim presidency of Venezuela. Guaido did not respond to a message seeking clarification. The country's perennially fractured opposition has made numerous failed attempts over the past 20 years to remove the ruling socialists. Now, opposition leaders have disavowed Maduro's second term as illegitimate, and have called for the National Assembly to declare the presidency vacant. The country's constitution says a presidential vacancy can be filled by the head of the legislature, and some opposition activists have called on Guaido to assume the presidency. Maduro's allies were quick to denounce Guaido. Prisons Minister Iris Varela appeared to threaten to jail him, although she has previously threatened other opposition members who remain free. "Guaido, I already got your cell ready, with your uniform," Varela wrote on Twitter. The opposition has promised to keep up the pressure. Some 2,000 people gathered outside the UN site listening to opposition lawmakers and civil society leaders denounce Maduro as a "usurper." "[Congress] is the only legitimate power that we have," said Servando Valecillos, a 67-year-old salesman and one of the protesters. Maduro's critics accuse him of creating a dictatorship and destroying the OPEC nation's economy. Venezuela is experiencing the worst economic crisis in its history, with inflation headed towards 2 million per cent. Some three million people have left the country amid chronic shortages of food and medicine. Maduro says the country is victim of an "economic war" led by his political adversaries with the help of Washington.

Prepared to assume presidency on interim basis: Leader of Venezuela Congress

The United States on Thursday refused to recognize <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-president-maduro-starts-new-term-shrugs-off-criticism-189465">Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro</a>'s legitimacy as he started a controversial new term and urged rank-and-file government employees to empower the opposition.

"The US will not recognize the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/president-maduro-to-start-new-term-as-venezuela-isolation-grows-189445">Maduro </a>dictatorship's illegitimate inauguration," national security advisor John Bolton tweeted.

"We will continue to increase pressure on the corrupt regime, support the democratic National Assembly, and call for democracy and freedom in Venezuela," he wrote.

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The US will not recognize the Maduro dictatorship’s illegitimate inauguration. We will continue to increase pressure on the corrupt regime, support the democratic National Assembly, and call for democracy and freedom in Venezuela.
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Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on Venezuelans to work not with Maduro but with the National Assembly, which is controlled by the opposition but has been sidelined by a new Constituent Assembly created by Maduro's government.

"We urge those who support this regime, from everyday employees getting by on food subsidies to the Venezuelan security forces sworn to support the constitution, to stop enabling repression and corruption and to work with the National Assembly and its duly elected leader, Juan Guaido, in accordance with your constitution on a peaceful return to democracy," Pompeo said in a statement.

"The Venezuelan people and the international community will remember and judge your actions. Now is the time to convince the Maduro dictatorship that the moment has arrived for democracy to return to Venezuela," he said.

"The Secretary reinforced the US commitment to the National Assembly, the only legitimate and last democratically elected institution in Venezuela, and the re-establishment of democracy in Venezuela," spokesperson Robert Palladino added.

Maduro was sworn in for a second six-year term under a cloud of skyrocketing inflation, shortages of basic food and medicine and an exodus of Venezuelans to neighbouring countries, following an election that was boycotted by the opposition.

The Lima Group -- a bloc of 14 Latin American powers and Canada -- urged Maduro to renounce his term and hand over power to parliament, although Mexico's new leftist government stayed neutral.

The European Union has also said that last year's election was marred by fraud and has extended sanctions.

The United States has for years put pressure on Maduro and his predecessor Hugo Chavez, with President Donald Trump publicly musing about military intervention.

On Tuesday, the United States imposed its latest sanctions as it targeted seven Venezuelans allegedly involved in black-market currency exchanges that generated billions of dollars in illicit profits.

 
&nbsp;

The United States on Thursday refused to recognize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's legitimacy as he started a controversial new term and urged rank-and-file government employees to empower the opposition.

The United States on Thursday refused to recognize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's legitimacy as he started a controversial new term and urged rank-and-file government employees to empower the opposition. "The US will not recognize the Maduro dictatorship's illegitimate inauguration," national security advisor John Bolton tweeted. "We will continue to increase pressure on the corrupt regime, support the democratic National Assembly, and call for democracy and freedom in Venezuela," he wrote. The US will not recognize the Maduro dictatorship’s illegitimate inauguration. We will continue to increase pressure on the corrupt regime, support the democratic National Assembly, and call for democracy and freedom in Venezuela. — John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) January 10, 2019 × Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on Venezuelans to work not with Maduro but with the National Assembly, which is controlled by the opposition but has been sidelined by a new Constituent Assembly created by Maduro's government. "We urge those who support this regime, from everyday employees getting by on food subsidies to the Venezuelan security forces sworn to support the constitution, to stop enabling repression and corruption and to work with the National Assembly and its duly elected leader, Juan Guaido, in accordance with your constitution on a peaceful return to democracy," Pompeo said in a statement. "The Venezuelan people and the international community will remember and judge your actions. Now is the time to convince the Maduro dictatorship that the moment has arrived for democracy to return to Venezuela," he said. "The Secretary reinforced the US commitment to the National Assembly, the only legitimate and last democratically elected institution in Venezuela, and the re-establishment of democracy in Venezuela," spokesperson Robert Palladino added. Maduro was sworn in for a second six-year term under a cloud of skyrocketing inflation, shortages of basic food and medicine and an exodus of Venezuelans to neighbouring countries, following an election that was boycotted by the opposition. The Lima Group -- a bloc of 14 Latin American powers and Canada -- urged Maduro to renounce his term and hand over power to parliament, although Mexico's new leftist government stayed neutral. The European Union has also said that last year's election was marred by fraud and has extended sanctions. The United States has for years put pressure on Maduro and his predecessor Hugo Chavez, with President Donald Trump publicly musing about military intervention. On Tuesday, the United States imposed its latest sanctions as it targeted seven Venezuelans allegedly involved in black-market currency exchanges that generated billions of dollars in illicit profits.

US vows to pressure Venezuela's 'illegitimate' President Maduro

Venezuela's parliament rejects legitimacy of Maduro second term

Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly declared Nicolas Maduro's presidency illegitimate Saturday, calling on the military to support efforts to "restore democracy."

"We reaffirm the illegitimacy of Nicolas Maduro," the assembly's new president Juan Guaido said as he was sworn in at the start of a new legislative session.

"As of January 10, he will be usurping the presidency and consequently this National Assembly is the only legitimate representative of the people."

Maduro is set to be sworn in on Thursday for a second six-year term after holding controversial early elections May 20.&nbsp;

The elections were boycotted by most of the opposition and widely condemned by the international community.

On Friday, foreign ministers from 12 Latin American countries and Canada announced in Lima that their governments would not recognize Maduro as president if he attempts to remain in office and urged him to turn over power to the National Assembly.

Guaido, in a speech attended by lawmakers and members of the diplomatic corps, declared that the military's chain of command had been "broken or usurped," but called on the armed forces to support efforts "to restore democracy."

He committed to "generate conditions for a government of transition and to call free elections."

Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly declared Nicolas Maduro's presidency illegitimate Saturday, calling on the military to support efforts to "restore democracy.

Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly declared Nicolas Maduro's presidency illegitimate Saturday, calling on the military to support efforts to "restore democracy." "We reaffirm the illegitimacy of Nicolas Maduro," the assembly's new president Juan Guaido said as he was sworn in at the start of a new legislative session. "As of January 10, he will be usurping the presidency and consequently this National Assembly is the only legitimate representative of the people." Maduro is set to be sworn in on Thursday for a second six-year term after holding controversial early elections May 20. The elections were boycotted by most of the opposition and widely condemned by the international community. On Friday, foreign ministers from 12 Latin American countries and Canada announced in Lima that their governments would not recognize Maduro as president if he attempts to remain in office and urged him to turn over power to the National Assembly. Guaido, in a speech attended by lawmakers and members of the diplomatic corps, declared that the military's chain of command had been "broken or usurped," but called on the armed forces to support efforts "to restore democracy." He committed to "generate conditions for a government of transition and to call free elections."

Mexico on Friday called on its peers to refrain from interfering in Venezuela`s internal affairs, declining to back a regional declaration that urged Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro not to take office on January 10.

Mexico was the sole country in the 14-member Lima Group that opted not to sign a statement critical of Maduro, the first time Mexico has not backed a declaration by the group since it was created in 2017 to push for democratic reforms in Venezuela.

Mexico was once among the most outspoken critics of Maduro. But ties with Venezuela have warmed under leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who invited Maduro to his inauguration last month.

Maximiliano Reyes, Mexico`s deputy foreign minister responsible for Latin America, said Mexico was concerned about the "situation regarding human rights" in Venezuela but would not comment on the legitimacy of its government.

Instead, he asked the Lima Group to rethink its approach.

"We call for reflection in the Lima Group about the consequences for Venezuelans of measures that seek to interfere in internal affairs," Reyes said in a statement following a Lima Group meeting in Peru.

"Mexico believes the most effective way to achieve the objectives for which this group was created is through mediation and dialogue, not isolation," he added.

The comments were a blow to regional efforts to ramp up pressure on Maduro ahead of his inauguration, which Venezuela`s opposition hoped would be a watershed moment to highlight how he has undermined democracy and mismanaged the country’s once-booming economy.

But diplomatic measures from neighbouring countries remain timid, and Friday`s communique added little to previous statements that urged Maduro to step down but offered few concrete mechanisms to make this happen.

Peru said last month that it would propose ending diplomatic relations with Venezuela to Lima Group members. But no country has yet announced it would sever ties with Caracas.

The 13 remaining countries in the Lima Group that signed Friday`s statement, which include Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Colombia, called Maduro`s new term "illegitimate" and urged him to hand power over to the National Assembly until democratic elections can be held.

They also said they would seek to bar high-ranking Venezuelan officials from entering their territory or accessing their financial systems.

"What`s happening January 10 is a turning point," Peruvian Foreign Minister Nestor Popolizio told journalists.

Venezuela`s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Mexico on Friday called on its peers to refrain from interfering in Venezuela`s internal affairs, declining to back a regional declaration that urged Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro not to take office on January 10.

Mexico on Friday called on its peers to refrain from interfering in Venezuela`s internal affairs, declining to back a regional declaration that urged Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro not to take office on January 10. Mexico was the sole country in the 14-member Lima Group that opted not to sign a statement critical of Maduro, the first time Mexico has not backed a declaration by the group since it was created in 2017 to push for democratic reforms in Venezuela. Mexico was once among the most outspoken critics of Maduro. But ties with Venezuela have warmed under leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who invited Maduro to his inauguration last month. Maximiliano Reyes, Mexico`s deputy foreign minister responsible for Latin America, said Mexico was concerned about the "situation regarding human rights" in Venezuela but would not comment on the legitimacy of its government. Instead, he asked the Lima Group to rethink its approach. "We call for reflection in the Lima Group about the consequences for Venezuelans of measures that seek to interfere in internal affairs," Reyes said in a statement following a Lima Group meeting in Peru. "Mexico believes the most effective way to achieve the objectives for which this group was created is through mediation and dialogue, not isolation," he added. The comments were a blow to regional efforts to ramp up pressure on Maduro ahead of his inauguration, which Venezuela`s opposition hoped would be a watershed moment to highlight how he has undermined democracy and mismanaged the country’s once-booming economy. But diplomatic measures from neighbouring countries remain timid, and Friday`s communique added little to previous statements that urged Maduro to step down but offered few concrete mechanisms to make this happen. Peru said last month that it would propose ending diplomatic relations with Venezuela to Lima Group members. But no country has yet announced it would sever ties with Caracas. The 13 remaining countries in the Lima Group that signed Friday`s statement, which include Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Colombia, called Maduro`s new term "illegitimate" and urged him to hand power over to the National Assembly until democratic elections can be held. They also said they would seek to bar high-ranking Venezuelan officials from entering their territory or accessing their financial systems. "What`s happening January 10 is a turning point," Peruvian Foreign Minister Nestor Popolizio told journalists. Venezuela`s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Mexico urges regional bloc not to meddle in Venezuela

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday assured help to Venezuela and said&nbsp;he was willing to meet the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

He said, "I just want to see Venezuela straightened out. I want the people to be safe. We're going to take care of Venezuela".

On his meeting&nbsp;with Maduro, Trump said, "If he's here, if he wants to meet ... it was not on my mind, it was not on my plate but if I can help people that's what I'm here for."

Venezuela is suffering an economic collapse and mass emigration under Nicolas Maduro.

Last week, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the United States was preparing a "series of actions" to raise pressure on Maduro, whom Washington and its allies accuse of stifling democracy by jailing opposition leaders.

Speaking before entering talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly Meeting, Trump said he would present a two-state peace plan for the Middle East in the coming months.

He also expressed confidence that the Palestinians would return to talks despite his unwavering support for Israel.

Trump said that it was a "dream" of his to bring about a peaceful solution to a conflict that has eluded several of his predecessors.&nbsp;

"I would say over the next two to three to four months," Trump said, referring to his prospective timetable for presenting a plan as he met Netanyahu.

Trump for the first time said explicitly that he backed a two-state solution that would create an independent Palestine, saying: "That's what I think works best, that's my feeling."

"I really believe something will happen. It is a dream of mine to be able to get that done prior to the end of my first term," added Trump.

The Middle East peace process has effectively been stalled since the Palestinians broke off contacts with the Trump administration last year in protest at the US president's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state.

The Palestinians also want Jerusalem to be their capital and have long argued that the status of the holy city should only be settled as part of a larger peace agreement.

Relations between the Palestinian Authority and the United States have fallen even lower in recent weeks after Washington cut off funding, including to a UN agency that helps millions of Palestinian refugees.

(With inputs from AFP)

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday assured help to Venezuela and said he was willing to meet the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. He said, "I just want to see Venezuela straightened out.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday assured help to Venezuela and said he was willing to meet the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. He said, "I just want to see Venezuela straightened out. I want the people to be safe. We're going to take care of Venezuela". On his meeting with Maduro, Trump said, "If he's here, if he wants to meet ... it was not on my mind, it was not on my plate but if I can help people that's what I'm here for." Venezuela is suffering an economic collapse and mass emigration under Nicolas Maduro. Last week, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the United States was preparing a "series of actions" to raise pressure on Maduro, whom Washington and its allies accuse of stifling democracy by jailing opposition leaders. Speaking before entering talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly Meeting, Trump said he would present a two-state peace plan for the Middle East in the coming months. He also expressed confidence that the Palestinians would return to talks despite his unwavering support for Israel. Trump said that it was a "dream" of his to bring about a peaceful solution to a conflict that has eluded several of his predecessors. "I would say over the next two to three to four months," Trump said, referring to his prospective timetable for presenting a plan as he met Netanyahu. Trump for the first time said explicitly that he backed a two-state solution that would create an independent Palestine, saying: "That's what I think works best, that's my feeling." "I really believe something will happen. It is a dream of mine to be able to get that done prior to the end of my first term," added Trump. The Middle East peace process has effectively been stalled since the Palestinians broke off contacts with the Trump administration last year in protest at the US president's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state. The Palestinians also want Jerusalem to be their capital and have long argued that the status of the holy city should only be settled as part of a larger peace agreement. Relations between the Palestinian Authority and the United States have fallen even lower in recent weeks after Washington cut off funding, including to a UN agency that helps millions of Palestinian refugees. (With inputs from AFP)

Trump assures help to Venezuela; pledges new Middle East peace plan within months

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kumaraswamy-to-take-oath-as-karnataka-chief-minister-today-139001">HD Kumaraswamy to be sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister today, floor test tomorrow</a>

Alongside Kumaraswamy, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President G. Parameshwara will take oath as the Deputy Chief Minister. &nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-at-least-11-killed-in-clashes-with-police-over-protests-against-sterlite-plant-139005">Tamil Nadu: At least 11 killed in clashes with police over protests against Sterlite copper plant</a>

As many as 11 people have been reported dead in clashes between locals and the police in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin. Chaos broke out as locals continued to protest Sterlite’s industrial plant for the 100th consecutive day on Tuesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rohingya-militants-killed-hindu-villagers-in-myanmar-violence-amnesty-international-139009">Rohingya militants killed Hindu villagers in Myanmar: Amnesty International</a>

Campaign group Amnesty International said on Tuesday it had gathered evidence that insurgents from a Rohingya Muslim armed group killed scores of Hindu civilians in August last year, amid a surge in violence in western Myanmar.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-maduro-expels-us-diplomats-rejects-sanctions-138999">Venezuela's Maduro expels US diplomats, rejects sanctions</a>

Venezuela ordered the expulsion of the top two US diplomats in the country Tuesday, charging it was the victim of a "political and financial lynching" after Washington tightened sanctions over Nicolas Maduro's re-election.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-face-off-eu-gets-little-news-from-zuckerberg-about-social-networks-data-policies--139003">Facebook face-off: EU gets little news from Zuckerberg about social network's data policies</a>

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg sailed through a grilling from EU lawmakers about the social network's data policies as lengthy questions left the 34-year-old American little time to answer.

HD Kumaraswamy to be sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister today, floor test tomorrow Alongside Kumaraswamy, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President G. Parameshwara will take oath as the Deputy Chief Minister. Tamil Nadu: At least 11 killed in clashes with police over protests against Sterlite copper plant As many as 11 people have been reported dead in clashes between locals and the police in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin. Chaos broke out as locals continued to protest Sterlite’s industrial plant for the 100th consecutive day on Tuesday. Rohingya militants killed Hindu villagers in Myanmar: Amnesty International Campaign group Amnesty International said on Tuesday it had gathered evidence that insurgents from a Rohingya Muslim armed group killed scores of Hindu civilians in August last year, amid a surge in violence in western Myanmar. Venezuela's Maduro expels US diplomats, rejects sanctions Venezuela ordered the expulsion of the top two US diplomats in the country Tuesday, charging it was the victim of a "political and financial lynching" after Washington tightened sanctions over Nicolas Maduro's re-election. Facebook face-off: EU gets little news from Zuckerberg about social network's data policies Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg sailed through a grilling from EU lawmakers about the social network's data policies as lengthy questions left the 34-year-old American little time to answer.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Venezuela ordered the expulsion of the top two US diplomats in the country Tuesday, charging it was the victim of a "political and financial lynching" after Washington tightened sanctions over Nicolas Maduro's re-election.

Maduro announced the expulsions in a televised speech after being officially proclaimed the winner of Sunday's election in the South American nation mired in an acute economic crisis and facing growing international isolation.

The vote was boycotted by the main opposition parties and widely condemned by the international community, including the United States, which denounced it as a "sham."

The Venezuelan president declared US charge d'affaires Todd Robinson and deputy head of mission Brian Naranjo "personae non-gratae."

"They must leave the country in 48 hours in protest and in defence of the dignity of the Venezuelan homeland... Enough of conspiracies!" he said.

The United States immediately threatened to retaliate.

A State Department official told AFP that Washington had "not received notification from the Venezuelan government through diplomatic channels," but that if the expulsions are confirmed, "the United States may take appropriate reciprocal action."

On Monday, President Donald Trump tightened sanctions against Caracas, making it harder for the Maduro regime to sell off state assets.

"I repudiate all the sanctions that are sought against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela because they harm it, they generate suffering for the people of Venezuela," Maduro said in the speech.

He promised to present "evidence" that both diplomats were engaged in a political, military and economic "conspiracy."

Robinson denied the allegations.

"We strongly reject the accusations against me and against" Naranjo, he told journalists in the western city of Merida, promising to return there even despite Maduro expulsing him.

'Threat to world peace'

Washington and Caracas have not exchanged ambassadors since 2010, and relations between the two countries have been tense since the late leftist President Hugo Chavez, Maduro's mentor, assumed power in 1999.

The deeply unpopular Maduro was declared the winner with 68 percent of the vote, but with a record abstention rate.

The foreign ministry earlier lashed out at the US sanctions, accusing Washington of intensifying a "criminal financial and economic blockade," which it called a crime against humanity for impeding "access to essential goods."

"We alert the international community to the threat to world peace represented by the supremacist, racist and interventionist regime that governs Washington today, inspired by the nefarious postulates of the Ku Klux Klan," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

It said US policy "promotes hatred, intolerance and political and financial lynching" of Venezuela.

Venezuelans are reeling under a deepening crisis, with hyperinflation projected by the IMF to reach 13,800 percent this year and dire shortages of food and medicine.

Hundreds of thousands of people have fled the country to escape the growing deprivation.

Washington has previously slapped sanctions on the president and his senior aides, and banned US entities from buying any more debt from Caracas or state oil company PDVSA.

The European Union said it was also weighing new sanctions after the election was marred by "irregularities" and failed to meet international standards.

Caracas is facing increasing international isolation, with the United States, the European Union and the 14 countries of the Lima Group, which includes Argentina, Brazil and Canada, refusing to recognize the election result.

"Venezuela is beginning to suffer an economic boycott by the United States and its allies, and this is going to be fatal to the regime," political analyst Carlos Romero told AFP.

Maduro, a former bus driver, union leader and foreign minister, has insisted Venezuela is the victim of an "economic war" waged by the conservative opposition and external powers including the United States aimed at toppling him.

'The enemies of Venezuela'

Most economists attribute the oil-rich country's economic collapse to years of mismanagement, corruption and a period of sharply lower oil prices.

Maduro, 55, earlier Tuesday received his official credentials from the National Electoral Council, or CNE by its Spanish acronym, as the winner of the election.

"The CNE... confirms citizen Nicolas Maduro Moros as president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for a period of six years," starting in January 2019, CNE head Tibisay Lucena declared.

Lucena, from the same leftist party as Maduro, rejected allegations by the opposition and much of the international community that the polls were not legitimate.

"Never have we witnessed an international attack as bad as the one that characterized this process," she said.

"The voices of denunciation returned, without evidence. If offers up the possibility for the enemies of Venezuela to attack our sovereignty."

The United States immediately threatened to retaliate

Venezuela ordered the expulsion of the top two US diplomats in the country Tuesday, charging it was the victim of a "political and financial lynching" after Washington tightened sanctions over Nicolas Maduro's re-election. Maduro announced the expulsions in a televised speech after being officially proclaimed the winner of Sunday's election in the South American nation mired in an acute economic crisis and facing growing international isolation. The vote was boycotted by the main opposition parties and widely condemned by the international community, including the United States, which denounced it as a "sham." The Venezuelan president declared US charge d'affaires Todd Robinson and deputy head of mission Brian Naranjo "personae non-gratae." "They must leave the country in 48 hours in protest and in defence of the dignity of the Venezuelan homeland... Enough of conspiracies!" he said. The United States immediately threatened to retaliate. A State Department official told AFP that Washington had "not received notification from the Venezuelan government through diplomatic channels," but that if the expulsions are confirmed, "the United States may take appropriate reciprocal action." On Monday, President Donald Trump tightened sanctions against Caracas, making it harder for the Maduro regime to sell off state assets. "I repudiate all the sanctions that are sought against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela because they harm it, they generate suffering for the people of Venezuela," Maduro said in the speech. He promised to present "evidence" that both diplomats were engaged in a political, military and economic "conspiracy." Robinson denied the allegations. "We strongly reject the accusations against me and against" Naranjo, he told journalists in the western city of Merida, promising to return there even despite Maduro expulsing him. 'Threat to world peace' Washington and Caracas have not exchanged ambassadors since 2010, and relations between the two countries have been tense since the late leftist President Hugo Chavez, Maduro's mentor, assumed power in 1999. The deeply unpopular Maduro was declared the winner with 68 percent of the vote, but with a record abstention rate. The foreign ministry earlier lashed out at the US sanctions, accusing Washington of intensifying a "criminal financial and economic blockade," which it called a crime against humanity for impeding "access to essential goods." "We alert the international community to the threat to world peace represented by the supremacist, racist and interventionist regime that governs Washington today, inspired by the nefarious postulates of the Ku Klux Klan," the foreign ministry said in a statement. It said US policy "promotes hatred, intolerance and political and financial lynching" of Venezuela. Venezuelans are reeling under a deepening crisis, with hyperinflation projected by the IMF to reach 13,800 percent this year and dire shortages of food and medicine. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled the country to escape the growing deprivation. Washington has previously slapped sanctions on the president and his senior aides, and banned US entities from buying any more debt from Caracas or state oil company PDVSA. The European Union said it was also weighing new sanctions after the election was marred by "irregularities" and failed to meet international standards. Caracas is facing increasing international isolation, with the United States, the European Union and the 14 countries of the Lima Group, which includes Argentina, Brazil and Canada, refusing to recognize the election result. "Venezuela is beginning to suffer an economic boycott by the United States and its allies, and this is going to be fatal to the regime," political analyst Carlos Romero told AFP. Maduro, a former bus driver, union leader and foreign minister, has insisted Venezuela is the victim of an "economic war" waged by the conservative opposition and external powers including the United States aimed at toppling him. 'The enemies of Venezuela' Most economists attribute the oil-rich country's economic collapse to years of mismanagement, corruption and a period of sharply lower oil prices. Maduro, 55, earlier Tuesday received his official credentials from the National Electoral Council, or CNE by its Spanish acronym, as the winner of the election. "The CNE... confirms citizen Nicolas Maduro Moros as president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for a period of six years," starting in January 2019, CNE head Tibisay Lucena declared. Lucena, from the same leftist party as Maduro, rejected allegations by the opposition and much of the international community that the polls were not legitimate. "Never have we witnessed an international attack as bad as the one that characterized this process," she said. "The voices of denunciation returned, without evidence. If offers up the possibility for the enemies of Venezuela to attack our sovereignty."

Venezuela's Maduro expels US diplomats, rejects sanctions

Amid a controversial vote, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro won re-election on Sunday. Maduro's main rivals had declared the poll illegitimate due to alleged widespread irregularities and called for fresh polls to be held later in the year.

Around 46.1 percent voter turnout was registered, the election board said. Nearly 80 percent voter turnout was registered during the last presidential polls in 2013.

Maduro bagged 5.8 million votes, versus 1.8 secured by his nearest rival Henri Falcon.&nbsp;

With more than 90 percent of the votes counted, &nbsp;Maduro had 67.7 percent of the vote, with his main rival Henri Falcon taking 21.2 percent, the National Election Council chief Tibisay Lucena announced, AFP reported.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

With more than 90 percent of the votes counted, Maduro had 67.7 percent of the vote

Amid a controversial vote, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro won re-election on Sunday. Maduro's main rivals had declared the poll illegitimate due to alleged widespread irregularities and called for fresh polls to be held later in the year. Around 46.1 percent voter turnout was registered, the election board said. Nearly 80 percent voter turnout was registered during the last presidential polls in 2013. Maduro bagged 5.8 million votes, versus 1.8 secured by his nearest rival Henri Falcon. With more than 90 percent of the votes counted, Maduro had 67.7 percent of the vote, with his main rival Henri Falcon taking 21.2 percent, the National Election Council chief Tibisay Lucena announced, AFP reported. (With inputs from agencies)

Venezuela: Nicolas Maduro wins re-election amid outcry over vote

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is seeking a six-year term on Sunday in a vote condemned by foes as the "coronation" of a dictator and likely to bring fresh foreign sanctions.

With the mainstream opposition boycotting the election, two of his most popular rivals barred from standing and state institutions in loyalists' hands, the 55-year-old former bus driver is expected to win despite his unpopularity.

That could trigger oil sanctions from the U.S. government, and more censure from the European Union and Latin America.

The self-described "son" of Hugo Chavez says he is battling an "imperialist" plot to crush socialism and take over the OPEC nation's oil wealth. But opponents say the leftist leader has destroyed Venezuela's once-wealthy economy and ruthlessly crushed dissent.

Maduro's main challenger is former state governor Henri Falcon, who predicts an upset on the back of some polls showing him ahead and widespread fury among Venezuela's 30 million people at the collapse of their economy.

"I will free Venezuela from dictatorship!" Falcon, 56, vowed at his last rally. "Venezuelans want you to disappear, Maduro, you've done too much damage," he added, scattering fake $100 bills to symbolize his proposal for replacing the collapsed bolivar currency.

Most analysts believe, however, that Falcon has only a slim chance given anticipated abstention, the opposition split over his break with the boycott, the vote-winning power of state handouts, and Maduro's allies on the election board.

"These are not elections. They are a farce intended to keep Maduro in power without popular support," said Juan Pablo Guanipa, of the main opposition coalition, which is boycotting the vote.

Further hurting Falcon's chances by splitting the anti-Maduro vote is a third candidate, evangelical pastor Javier Bertucci, who has picked up quite a following on the campaign trail, not least thanks to his free soup handouts.

On the streets, many Venezuelans are disillusioned and angry over the election: They criticize Maduro for economic hardships and the opposition for its dysfunctional splits.

Reeling from a fifth year of recession, falling oil production and U.S. sanctions blocking new debt issues, Venezuela is seeing growing levels of malnutrition and hunger, hyperinflation, and mass emigration.

"If you give me victory, I will defeat the economic war," Maduro roared at his final campaign event, blaming opponents for the country's mess but giving no specifics of possible reforms to nearly two decades of state-led economic policies.

Given Venezuelans' despondency over the crisis, campaign rallies have been poorly attended compared with previous votes and the atmosphere has been the most lackluster in memory.

Pro-boycott activists were planning some scattered protests on Sunday, but authorities deployed 300,000 soldiers and policemen around the nation to protect voting stations.

Results are expected by late evening.

"I'm not voting. No one trusts the politicians. Both sides are useless, government and opposition," said bank worker Jhonny Castro, 36, in central Barquisimeto city.

"People are resigned, you hardly see any election publicity. I ask around at work and among my friends, and for every five people, three or four won't vote."

Should Maduro win, he may choose to use the domestic political advantage to deepen a successful purge of critics within the ruling "Chavismo" movement.

Various high-profile figures, including former ministers under both him and Chavez, are in exile or jail.

Abroad, Maduro is likely to face an avalanche of western protests should he win, although Russia and China remain big allies and have been important financial backers.

With oil output at a 30-year low, foreign debtors looking to up the pressure, and multinationals departing or minimizing operations in Venezuela, Maduro will face a Herculean task to turn around the moribund economy.

With the mainstream opposition boycotting the election, two of his most popular rivals barred from standing and state institutions in loyalists' hands, the 55-year-old former bus driver is expected to win despite his unpopularity

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is seeking a six-year term on Sunday in a vote condemned by foes as the "coronation" of a dictator and likely to bring fresh foreign sanctions. With the mainstream opposition boycotting the election, two of his most popular rivals barred from standing and state institutions in loyalists' hands, the 55-year-old former bus driver is expected to win despite his unpopularity. That could trigger oil sanctions from the U.S. government, and more censure from the European Union and Latin America. The self-described "son" of Hugo Chavez says he is battling an "imperialist" plot to crush socialism and take over the OPEC nation's oil wealth. But opponents say the leftist leader has destroyed Venezuela's once-wealthy economy and ruthlessly crushed dissent. Maduro's main challenger is former state governor Henri Falcon, who predicts an upset on the back of some polls showing him ahead and widespread fury among Venezuela's 30 million people at the collapse of their economy. "I will free Venezuela from dictatorship!" Falcon, 56, vowed at his last rally. "Venezuelans want you to disappear, Maduro, you've done too much damage," he added, scattering fake $100 bills to symbolize his proposal for replacing the collapsed bolivar currency. Most analysts believe, however, that Falcon has only a slim chance given anticipated abstention, the opposition split over his break with the boycott, the vote-winning power of state handouts, and Maduro's allies on the election board. "These are not elections. They are a farce intended to keep Maduro in power without popular support," said Juan Pablo Guanipa, of the main opposition coalition, which is boycotting the vote. Further hurting Falcon's chances by splitting the anti-Maduro vote is a third candidate, evangelical pastor Javier Bertucci, who has picked up quite a following on the campaign trail, not least thanks to his free soup handouts. On the streets, many Venezuelans are disillusioned and angry over the election: They criticize Maduro for economic hardships and the opposition for its dysfunctional splits. Reeling from a fifth year of recession, falling oil production and U.S. sanctions blocking new debt issues, Venezuela is seeing growing levels of malnutrition and hunger, hyperinflation, and mass emigration. "If you give me victory, I will defeat the economic war," Maduro roared at his final campaign event, blaming opponents for the country's mess but giving no specifics of possible reforms to nearly two decades of state-led economic policies. Given Venezuelans' despondency over the crisis, campaign rallies have been poorly attended compared with previous votes and the atmosphere has been the most lackluster in memory. Pro-boycott activists were planning some scattered protests on Sunday, but authorities deployed 300,000 soldiers and policemen around the nation to protect voting stations. Results are expected by late evening. "I'm not voting. No one trusts the politicians. Both sides are useless, government and opposition," said bank worker Jhonny Castro, 36, in central Barquisimeto city. "People are resigned, you hardly see any election publicity. I ask around at work and among my friends, and for every five people, three or four won't vote." Should Maduro win, he may choose to use the domestic political advantage to deepen a successful purge of critics within the ruling "Chavismo" movement. Various high-profile figures, including former ministers under both him and Chavez, are in exile or jail. Abroad, Maduro is likely to face an avalanche of western protests should he win, although Russia and China remain big allies and have been important financial backers. With oil output at a 30-year low, foreign debtors looking to up the pressure, and multinationals departing or minimizing operations in Venezuela, Maduro will face a Herculean task to turn around the moribund economy.

Defying global pressure, Maduro seeks re-election in Venezuela

Peru's new president fell short of reaffirming that the Andean country will ban Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from attending a regional summit Peru is hosting next month, saying on Tuesday that he would leave the matter to top diplomats.

Martin Vizcarra, who had been Peru's vice president, abruptly became president last week after Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigned amid growing graft allegations.

A former Wall Street banker who once held US citizenship, Kuczynski had been one of Maduro's most outspoken critics, deeming him a "dictator" and barring him from the Summit of the Americas that Peru will host on April 13-14.

Maduro vowed to attend the summit anyway, and his loyalists exulted over Kuczynski's downfall with a fireworks display last week.

But Vizcarra declined to weigh in on the dispute as he focuses on building support across Peru by promising to refocus the government's attention on domestic problems that had been neglected while Kuczynski struggled to remain in power.

After returning from a coastal region still reeling from severe floods last year, Vizcarra was asked at a news conference what he thought about Maduro's being banned from the summit.

"Our foreign policy is so delicate we must leave it in the hands of specialists," Vizcarra told journalists at the presidential palace. "The foreign affairs ministry is taking the corresponding decisions that we`ll support."

The comment appeared to signal a more hands-off approach to foreign policy.

A spokesman for the foreign affairs ministry said its position of barring Maduro was unchanged, but noted that Vizcarra had not yet sat down to talk with top diplomatic officials.

Vizcarra promised a "completely new" Cabinet upon taking office on Friday but has yet to name his foreign minister or other appointments. He said he would unveil his Cabinet next Monday.

Vizcarra said there would no changes to the agenda of the Summit of the Americas, which will celebrate "democratic governance against corruption" in a host country where three out of the four past presidents are subjects in graft probes.

US President Donald Trump and other leaders in the Americas plan to attend the summit.

Vizcarra noted that various heads of state, starting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, had called him after he took office to reconfirm their attendance.

"We think the event in Peru is going to be a success," Vizcarra said.

The former governor of a small mining region, Vizcarra served as Peru's ambassador to Canada, as well as vice president before he was called home to replace Kuczynski.

Peru is hosting a regional summit next month

Peru's new president fell short of reaffirming that the Andean country will ban Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from attending a regional summit Peru is hosting next month, saying on Tuesday that he would leave the matter to top diplomats. Martin Vizcarra, who had been Peru's vice president, abruptly became president last week after Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigned amid growing graft allegations. A former Wall Street banker who once held US citizenship, Kuczynski had been one of Maduro's most outspoken critics, deeming him a "dictator" and barring him from the Summit of the Americas that Peru will host on April 13-14. Maduro vowed to attend the summit anyway, and his loyalists exulted over Kuczynski's downfall with a fireworks display last week. But Vizcarra declined to weigh in on the dispute as he focuses on building support across Peru by promising to refocus the government's attention on domestic problems that had been neglected while Kuczynski struggled to remain in power. After returning from a coastal region still reeling from severe floods last year, Vizcarra was asked at a news conference what he thought about Maduro's being banned from the summit. "Our foreign policy is so delicate we must leave it in the hands of specialists," Vizcarra told journalists at the presidential palace. "The foreign affairs ministry is taking the corresponding decisions that we`ll support." The comment appeared to signal a more hands-off approach to foreign policy. A spokesman for the foreign affairs ministry said its position of barring Maduro was unchanged, but noted that Vizcarra had not yet sat down to talk with top diplomatic officials. Vizcarra promised a "completely new" Cabinet upon taking office on Friday but has yet to name his foreign minister or other appointments. He said he would unveil his Cabinet next Monday. Vizcarra said there would no changes to the agenda of the Summit of the Americas, which will celebrate "democratic governance against corruption" in a host country where three out of the four past presidents are subjects in graft probes. US President Donald Trump and other leaders in the Americas plan to attend the summit. Vizcarra noted that various heads of state, starting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, had called him after he took office to reconfirm their attendance. "We think the event in Peru is going to be a success," Vizcarra said. The former governor of a small mining region, Vizcarra served as Peru's ambassador to Canada, as well as vice president before he was called home to replace Kuczynski.

Peru's new president leaves summit ban on Maduro up to diplomats

Former Venezuelan interior minister Miguel Rodriguez Torres was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly plotting to divide the armed forces, the government said.

&quot;He was wanted... for involvement in actions against peace. He participated in conspiracies and plots in the pursuit of the evil intention of attacking the monolithic unity of our armed forces,&quot; a statement said.

His arrest comes ahead of a controversial May 20 presidential election which the crisis-hit country&#39;s main opposition is boycotting.

Violent protests in which dozens died erupted last year against President Nicolas Maduro&#39;s rule as Venezuelans struggle with chronic shortages of food and medicine.

At the height of that unrest, rogue pilot Oscar Perez used a stolen helicopter to bomb Venezuela&#39;s Supreme Court, prompting Maduro to accuse him of a coup. The government announced in January that Perez and seven other &quot;terrorists&quot; had been killed.

Maduro has accused Rodriguez Torres -- who participated in a failed 1992 coup attempt led by Chavez -- of being linked to right-wing plans to overthrow him.

Iris Varela, the minister responsible for prison affairs, had called for Rodriguez Torres&#39;s arrest for alleged involvement in Perez&#39;s plans.

According to the government, Rodriguez Torres, who was also the intelligence chief of former president Hugo Chavez, planned &quot;criminal actions&quot; against the government.

The 54-year-old&#39;s press team said that he was arrested by intelligence officials at a hotel in the capital Caracas.

Former Venezuelan interior minister Miguel Rodriguez Torres was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly plotting to divide the armed forces, the government said

Former Venezuelan interior minister Miguel Rodriguez Torres was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly plotting to divide the armed forces, the government said. "He was wanted... for involvement in actions against peace. He participated in conspiracies and plots in the pursuit of the evil intention of attacking the monolithic unity of our armed forces," a statement said. His arrest comes ahead of a controversial May 20 presidential election which the crisis-hit country's main opposition is boycotting. Violent protests in which dozens died erupted last year against President Nicolas Maduro's rule as Venezuelans struggle with chronic shortages of food and medicine. At the height of that unrest, rogue pilot Oscar Perez used a stolen helicopter to bomb Venezuela's Supreme Court, prompting Maduro to accuse him of a coup. The government announced in January that Perez and seven other "terrorists" had been killed. Maduro has accused Rodriguez Torres -- who participated in a failed 1992 coup attempt led by Chavez -- of being linked to right-wing plans to overthrow him. Iris Varela, the minister responsible for prison affairs, had called for Rodriguez Torres's arrest for alleged involvement in Perez's plans. According to the government, Rodriguez Torres, who was also the intelligence chief of former president Hugo Chavez, planned "criminal actions" against the government. The 54-year-old's press team said that he was arrested by intelligence officials at a hotel in the capital Caracas.

Venezuela's ex-interior minister, Miguel Rodriguez Torres arrested

Venezuela&#39;s election board said on Thursday it was postponing an upcoming presidential vote from April 22 to the second half of May following an agreement between the government and some opposition parties.

Presidential elections in Venezuela are normally held at the end of the year, and critics had accused authorities of moving the vote forward to wrongfoot the opposition and benefit President Nicolas Maduro&#39;s re-election bid.

The leading opposition coalition is boycotting the poll, but one presidential hopeful, Henri Falcon, has already launched his candidacy.

Falcon, a 56-year-old former state governor, believes he can win by taking advantage of widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling socialists over Venezuela&#39;s dire economic crisis.&nbsp;

But Maduro&#39;s two strongest opposition rivals are both barred from standing.

The United States is also considering imposing sanctions against Maduro&#39;s government due to what it says are unfair conditions for the presidential vote. 
&nbsp;

The United States is also considering imposing sanctions against Maduro's government

Venezuela's election board said on Thursday it was postponing an upcoming presidential vote from April 22 to the second half of May following an agreement between the government and some opposition parties. Presidential elections in Venezuela are normally held at the end of the year, and critics had accused authorities of moving the vote forward to wrongfoot the opposition and benefit President Nicolas Maduro's re-election bid. The leading opposition coalition is boycotting the poll, but one presidential hopeful, Henri Falcon, has already launched his candidacy. Falcon, a 56-year-old former state governor, believes he can win by taking advantage of widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling socialists over Venezuela's dire economic crisis. But Maduro's two strongest opposition rivals are both barred from standing. The United States is also considering imposing sanctions against Maduro's government due to what it says are unfair conditions for the presidential vote.

Venezuela postpones presidential election to late May

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/now-fitch-places-venezuela-on-selective-default-24263">After being downgraded by rating agencies</a>, Venezuela today signed up with creditors in Russia in a bid to restructure&nbsp;its debt crisis plaguing the country.

On Wednesday, Fitch ratings <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/sp-declares-venezuela-in-selective-default-24168">agency had downgraded the cash-strapped</a> nation to &nbsp;&#39;RD&#39; (Restricted Default), just 24 hours after S&amp;P had downgraded the issue ratings on Venezuela&#39;s bond which it had failed to pay to D from CC and cut the country&rsquo;s long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating to selective default, or SD, from CC.

Finance minister Simon Zerpa signed a deal with Russia for a $3.15 billion of debt taken out in 2011 to finance the purchase of Russian arms.

Under the agreement, Caracas will pay back its debts over 10 years, with &quot;minimal&quot; reimbursements for the first six years, Russia&#39;s foreign ministry said in a statement.

&quot;The reduction of the burden of debt... will allow the utilisation of funds to develop the country&#39;s economy, improve the debtor&#39;s solvency and increase the chances of all creditors recovering loans already made,&quot; according to the statement on the ministry&#39;s website.

&quot;These are very favourable terms that Venezuela can honour. This deal strengthens the relations between our two countries,&quot; Venezuelan vice president for the economy Wilmar Castro Soteldo told a press conference.

Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez said Venezuela was already catching up on the payments.

&quot;Today, we have begun interest payments on Venezuela&#39;s foreign debt and last week, PDVSA made its debt interest payments,&quot; he said on state television.

&quot;We pay our debts, despite what the ratings agencies, the US Treasury, the European Union or US President Donald Trump says.&quot;

While China did not offer any debt relief, the foreign ministry&nbsp;issued a statement saying China&#39;s cooperation with Venezuela in all areas was &quot;proceeding normally&quot;.

Venezuela has been crippled under heavy US sanctions. The Trump administration had imposed more sanctions even as the country failed to pay creditors with US targeting Maduro government officials by freezing their assets and barring them from doing business with the US. &nbsp;

The US has imposed sanctions against more than 30 Venezuelan leaders, reports said.

The European Union had imposed arms embargo against the oil-rich nation as the state-controlled oil company PDVSA bonds went on a free fall last week.

Venezuela and PDVSA have around $60 billion in outstanding bonds, according to Thomson Reuters data, while private estimates put total foreign debt between $120 billion and $140 billion.

While China did not offer any debt relief, the foreign ministry's issued a statement saying China's cooperation with Venezuela in all areas was "proceeding normally"

After being downgraded by rating agencies, Venezuela today signed up with creditors in Russia in a bid to restructure its debt crisis plaguing the country. On Wednesday, Fitch ratings agency had downgraded the cash-strapped nation to 'RD' (Restricted Default), just 24 hours after S&P had downgraded the issue ratings on Venezuela's bond which it had failed to pay to D from CC and cut the country’s long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating to selective default, or SD, from CC. Finance minister Simon Zerpa signed a deal with Russia for a $3.15 billion of debt taken out in 2011 to finance the purchase of Russian arms. Under the agreement, Caracas will pay back its debts over 10 years, with "minimal" reimbursements for the first six years, Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement. "The reduction of the burden of debt... will allow the utilisation of funds to develop the country's economy, improve the debtor's solvency and increase the chances of all creditors recovering loans already made," according to the statement on the ministry's website. "These are very favourable terms that Venezuela can honour. This deal strengthens the relations between our two countries," Venezuelan vice president for the economy Wilmar Castro Soteldo told a press conference. Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez said Venezuela was already catching up on the payments. "Today, we have begun interest payments on Venezuela's foreign debt and last week, PDVSA made its debt interest payments," he said on state television. "We pay our debts, despite what the ratings agencies, the US Treasury, the European Union or US President Donald Trump says." While China did not offer any debt relief, the foreign ministry issued a statement saying China's cooperation with Venezuela in all areas was "proceeding normally". Venezuela has been crippled under heavy US sanctions. The Trump administration had imposed more sanctions even as the country failed to pay creditors with US targeting Maduro government officials by freezing their assets and barring them from doing business with the US. The US has imposed sanctions against more than 30 Venezuelan leaders, reports said. The European Union had imposed arms embargo against the oil-rich nation as the state-controlled oil company PDVSA bonds went on a free fall last week. Venezuela and PDVSA have around $60 billion in outstanding bonds, according to Thomson Reuters data, while private estimates put total foreign debt between $120 billion and $140 billion.

Venezuela signs debt restructuring deal with Russia, gets China backing

A day after rating agency S&amp;P downgraded Venezuela over its failure to make overdue payments, Fitch ratings too downgraded the cash-strapped nation to &nbsp;&#39;RD&#39; (Restricted Default).

On Tuesday, Standard &amp; Poor&#39;s had placed the debt-ridden country in the &quot;selective default&quot; list. S&amp;P had said it had downgraded the issue ratings on Venezuela&#39;s bond which it had failed to pay to D from CC and cut the country&rsquo;s long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating to selective default, or SD, from CC.

&quot;Fitch Ratings has downgraded Venezuela&#39;s Long-Term Foreign Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to &#39;RD&#39; (Restricted Default) from &#39;C&#39; and affirmed the Long-Term Local Currency IDR at &#39;CC&#39;,&quot; the ratings agency said in a statement.

The downgrade &quot;reflects the failure of bondholders to receive overdue interest payments on Venezuela&#39;s sovereign bonds maturing Oct. 13, 2019 and Oct. 13, 2024 by the end of the 30-day grace period that ended on Nov. 13, 2017,&quot; Fitch&nbsp;said.

The downgrade comes even as the government declared on Wednesday it had successfully begun the process of refinancing its foreign debt.&nbsp;

&quot;The government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela wants to inform the world that today, at the Miraflores Government Palace, the process of refinancing Venezuela&#39;s foreign debt was started with resounding success, as a strategy to fully comply with our obligations,&quot; an official statement read.

However, creditors and rating agencies still do not know how the oil-rich nation will pay up its debts. Venezuelan Opposition has accused&nbsp;the Maduro government of wrecking the economy.

The Opposition has been demanding &quot;free&quot; and &quot;fair&quot; presidential elections in 2018 presidential election in a bid to put the economy back on track.

At least 125 people have died in the past four months in violent protests against Maduro as the country&#39;s economy has crashed to new a low with several people unable to afford food products and basic amenities with inflation at an all-time high.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, Standard & Poor's had placed the debt-ridden country in the "selective default" list.

A day after rating agency S&P downgraded Venezuela over its failure to make overdue payments, Fitch ratings too downgraded the cash-strapped nation to 'RD' (Restricted Default). On Tuesday, Standard & Poor's had placed the debt-ridden country in the "selective default" list. S&P had said it had downgraded the issue ratings on Venezuela's bond which it had failed to pay to D from CC and cut the country’s long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating to selective default, or SD, from CC. "Fitch Ratings has downgraded Venezuela's Long-Term Foreign Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to 'RD' (Restricted Default) from 'C' and affirmed the Long-Term Local Currency IDR at 'CC'," the ratings agency said in a statement. The downgrade "reflects the failure of bondholders to receive overdue interest payments on Venezuela's sovereign bonds maturing Oct. 13, 2019 and Oct. 13, 2024 by the end of the 30-day grace period that ended on Nov. 13, 2017," Fitch said. The downgrade comes even as the government declared on Wednesday it had successfully begun the process of refinancing its foreign debt. "The government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela wants to inform the world that today, at the Miraflores Government Palace, the process of refinancing Venezuela's foreign debt was started with resounding success, as a strategy to fully comply with our obligations," an official statement read. However, creditors and rating agencies still do not know how the oil-rich nation will pay up its debts. Venezuelan Opposition has accused the Maduro government of wrecking the economy. The Opposition has been demanding "free" and "fair" presidential elections in 2018 presidential election in a bid to put the economy back on track. At least 125 people have died in the past four months in violent protests against Maduro as the country's economy has crashed to new a low with several people unable to afford food products and basic amenities with inflation at an all-time high.

Now, Fitch places Venezuela on 'selective default'

A new assembly packed with allies of unpopular President Nicolas Maduro and with sweeping powers was to begin work on Saturday, deepening divisions in a crisis-wracked Venezuela.

The Constituent Assembly, headed by a former foreign minister, Delcy Rodriguez, is tasked with rewriting the 1999 constitution into a charter Maduro has promised will end the turmoil rocking his impoverished yet oil-rich nation.

On Friday, the body took over an ornate chamber under a golden dome in the Legislative Palace in Caracas -- at the far end of a building shared with the opposition-run legislature, the National Assembly.

Elected a week ago amid bloody protests and international objections, the Constituent Assembly has powers to override every branch of government, and can dissolve the legislature.

Its detractors say the 545 loyalist members -- among them the president&#39;s wife and son -- amount to a rubber-stamp entity extending Maduro&#39;s &quot;dictator&quot;-like grip on power.&nbsp;

International condemnation&nbsp;

The United States, the European Union, the Vatican and major Latin American nations including Mexico, Argentina and Chile have all condemned the new body, saying it undermines democracy and stokes tensions in Venezuela.

Mercosur, a South American trading bloc, was meeting on Saturday in Brazil to decide whether Venezuelan should be suspended from it for &quot;breaching democratic order.&quot;

The legitimacy of the Constituent Assembly has been thrown into question by claims of fraud, most notably by a British-based firm, Smartmartic, which was involved in supplying the technology for the July 30 vote.

Smartmatic said the official turnout figure had been &quot;tampered with&quot; and exaggerated by at least one million voters.

The opposition has vowed to maintain street protests against the assembly, despite being increasingly sidelined and despondent.

Maduro&#39;s security forces have stepped up pressure on dissenters. The Vatican has urged them to show restraint after a death toll from four months of unrest of 125.

A prominent opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez, was thrown back in military prison after the intelligence service roughly ended a brief spell of house arrest granted last month.

Another leader, Caracas mayor Antonio Ledezma, was released back into home detention on Friday after being hauled away the same day as Lopez.

&#39;Interference&#39; rejected&nbsp;

Maduro has rejected the criticism lobbed at him, saying the revised constitution issued by the Constituent Assembly would be put to a referendum.

He also accused the United States of &quot;imperialism&quot; after it hit him with direct sanctions and threatened to do the same with all of the assembly&#39;s members.

And he lashed out at fellow Latin American leaders for being vassals of America.

Rodriguez on Friday said: &quot;The international community should not make a mistake over Venezuela. The message is clear, very clear: we Venezuelans will resolve our conflict, our crisis without any form of foreign interference.&quot;

That conflict runs deep however, and Maduro counts on no more than 20 percent public support, according to surveys by the Datanalisis polling firm.

His authority relies on backing from the military and judicial and electoral authorities.

Their actions in past months against those raising their voices against Maduro prompted the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on Friday to order Venezuela to protect Venezuela&#39;s attorney general, Luisa Ortega.

The commission said it believed Ortega&#39;s life was at risk after breaking with Maduro months ago and launching an investigation into the legality of the Constituent Assembly.

There are also concerns Venezuela&#39;s dire economic straits -- seen in lines for scarce food and essentials, and desperate searches for rare medicine -- could soon get even worse.

The currency, the bolivar, lost around a third of its value this week, accelerating a long slide. Inflation forecasts for this year are soaring above 700 percent. And the country has dwindling reserves with which to pay its debt, big bills of which come due in October and November.

Maduro has dismissed the problems as part of an &quot;economic war&quot; waged against him by the opposition in collaboration with the United States.

His main sources of support from abroad are Cuba, whose socialist model he admires, and Russia, which holds billions in Venezuelan debt.

The opposition has vowed to maintain street protests against the assembly, despite being increasingly sidelined and despondent

A new assembly packed with allies of unpopular President Nicolas Maduro and with sweeping powers was to begin work on Saturday, deepening divisions in a crisis-wracked Venezuela. The Constituent Assembly, headed by a former foreign minister, Delcy Rodriguez, is tasked with rewriting the 1999 constitution into a charter Maduro has promised will end the turmoil rocking his impoverished yet oil-rich nation. On Friday, the body took over an ornate chamber under a golden dome in the Legislative Palace in Caracas -- at the far end of a building shared with the opposition-run legislature, the National Assembly. Elected a week ago amid bloody protests and international objections, the Constituent Assembly has powers to override every branch of government, and can dissolve the legislature. Its detractors say the 545 loyalist members -- among them the president's wife and son -- amount to a rubber-stamp entity extending Maduro's "dictator"-like grip on power. International condemnation The United States, the European Union, the Vatican and major Latin American nations including Mexico, Argentina and Chile have all condemned the new body, saying it undermines democracy and stokes tensions in Venezuela. Mercosur, a South American trading bloc, was meeting on Saturday in Brazil to decide whether Venezuelan should be suspended from it for "breaching democratic order." The legitimacy of the Constituent Assembly has been thrown into question by claims of fraud, most notably by a British-based firm, Smartmartic, which was involved in supplying the technology for the July 30 vote. Smartmatic said the official turnout figure had been "tampered with" and exaggerated by at least one million voters. The opposition has vowed to maintain street protests against the assembly, despite being increasingly sidelined and despondent. Maduro's security forces have stepped up pressure on dissenters. The Vatican has urged them to show restraint after a death toll from four months of unrest of 125. A prominent opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez, was thrown back in military prison after the intelligence service roughly ended a brief spell of house arrest granted last month. Another leader, Caracas mayor Antonio Ledezma, was released back into home detention on Friday after being hauled away the same day as Lopez. 'Interference' rejected Maduro has rejected the criticism lobbed at him, saying the revised constitution issued by the Constituent Assembly would be put to a referendum. He also accused the United States of "imperialism" after it hit him with direct sanctions and threatened to do the same with all of the assembly's members. And he lashed out at fellow Latin American leaders for being vassals of America. Rodriguez on Friday said: "The international community should not make a mistake over Venezuela. The message is clear, very clear: we Venezuelans will resolve our conflict, our crisis without any form of foreign interference." That conflict runs deep however, and Maduro counts on no more than 20 percent public support, according to surveys by the Datanalisis polling firm. His authority relies on backing from the military and judicial and electoral authorities. Their actions in past months against those raising their voices against Maduro prompted the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on Friday to order Venezuela to protect Venezuela's attorney general, Luisa Ortega. The commission said it believed Ortega's life was at risk after breaking with Maduro months ago and launching an investigation into the legality of the Constituent Assembly. There are also concerns Venezuela's dire economic straits -- seen in lines for scarce food and essentials, and desperate searches for rare medicine -- could soon get even worse. The currency, the bolivar, lost around a third of its value this week, accelerating a long slide. Inflation forecasts for this year are soaring above 700 percent. And the country has dwindling reserves with which to pay its debt, big bills of which come due in October and November. Maduro has dismissed the problems as part of an "economic war" waged against him by the opposition in collaboration with the United States. His main sources of support from abroad are Cuba, whose socialist model he admires, and Russia, which holds billions in Venezuelan debt.

New constituent assembly dividing Venezuela begins work

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was to install a powerful new assembly of his allies on Friday, dismissing an international outcry and opposition protests saying he is burying democracy in his country.

The Constituent Assembly, elected last weekend in a vote marred by violence and allegations of fraud, will sit in a chamber in the Legislative Palace in Caracas, where the opposition-controlled legislature is located.

The inaugural session of its 500 plus members who include Maduro&#39;s wife and son will take place under high tension.

The opposition has called a mass march in the capital, raising fears of violence that could add to a death toll of more than 125 over the past four months.

&quot;Let there be no provocations, nor should people fall into provocations,&quot; Maduro said late Thursday as he assured all was ready for the Constituent Assembly.

Unlimited powers&nbsp;

The body marks a new stage in Venezuela&#39;s rule.

With unlimited powers to dissolve the National Assembly or amend laws, the new body is tasked with rewriting the 1999 constitution brought in under Maduro&#39;s late mentor and predecessor, Hugo Chavez.

Maduro claims its work will yank Venezuela out of its worsening spiral of political and economic crisis, though he has not detailed how. Nor has he given an end-date for the Constituent Assembly, which he said would operate for years.

The body is being challenged on several fronts.

Backing opposition allegations of fraud, Smartmatic, a British-based company involved in the vote technology behind the election last Sunday, said the official turnout figure had been tampered with and exaggerated by at least a million voters.

Although brushed off by Maduro as part of a plot by &quot;the international enemy,&quot; that gave grounds for Venezuelan Attorney General Luisa Ortega, a thorn in Maduro&#39;s side, &nbsp;to order an investigation. 
She said prosecutors had lodged court cases seeking to have the Constituent Assembly annulled, though few in Venezuela believed that would be achieved.

The country&#39;s supreme court has systematically sided with the president in blocking prosecutorial or legislative gambits against the government.

Defiance&nbsp;

Using his daily appearances on state television, Maduro has lashed out at several of the 40 countries that admonished him for seeing through the creation of the new assembly.

After being hit with US sanctions and called a dictator by US President Donald Trump, Maduro said defiantly that he was standing up to what he called imperialism.

The Venezuelan leader also slammed Mexico, Chile, and Peru as American vassals for saying they would not recognize the new assembly.

But with the European Union and other nations also condemning the Constituent Assembly, Maduro is fighting against a broad tide, even if he has the support of Russia, which holds billions in Venezuelan debt, as well as Cuba, Bolivia and Nicaragua.

Diving currency&nbsp;

The uncertainty and unease surrounding the path Maduro has set Venezuela on has been reflected in an accelerating depreciation of the country&#39;s already debilitated currency, the bolivar.

It lost more than 17 per cent of its value against the dollar on Thursday, placing scarce imported food and medicine further out of reach for many Venezuelans.

One analyst, Luis Salamanca, said the new assembly &quot;is being born badly, but Maduro doesn&#39;t care. He just wants a Constituent Assembly that suits him.&quot;

According to Datanalisis, a polling firm, 72 per cent of Venezuelans reject the assembly. And 80 per cent reject Maduro&#39;s leadership.

But the president enjoys the backing of the military, as well as judicial and electoral authorities, allowing him to forge on. &quot;More than changing the constitution, the main goal is to govern without limits,&quot; said another analyst, Benigno Alarcon.

With unlimited powers to dissolve the National Assembly or amend laws, the new body is tasked with rewriting the 1999 constitution brought in under Maduro's late mentor and predecessor, Hugo Chavez

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was to install a powerful new assembly of his allies on Friday, dismissing an international outcry and opposition protests saying he is burying democracy in his country. The Constituent Assembly, elected last weekend in a vote marred by violence and allegations of fraud, will sit in a chamber in the Legislative Palace in Caracas, where the opposition-controlled legislature is located. The inaugural session of its 500 plus members who include Maduro's wife and son will take place under high tension. The opposition has called a mass march in the capital, raising fears of violence that could add to a death toll of more than 125 over the past four months. "Let there be no provocations, nor should people fall into provocations," Maduro said late Thursday as he assured all was ready for the Constituent Assembly. Unlimited powers The body marks a new stage in Venezuela's rule. With unlimited powers to dissolve the National Assembly or amend laws, the new body is tasked with rewriting the 1999 constitution brought in under Maduro's late mentor and predecessor, Hugo Chavez. Maduro claims its work will yank Venezuela out of its worsening spiral of political and economic crisis, though he has not detailed how. Nor has he given an end-date for the Constituent Assembly, which he said would operate for years. The body is being challenged on several fronts. Backing opposition allegations of fraud, Smartmatic, a British-based company involved in the vote technology behind the election last Sunday, said the official turnout figure had been tampered with and exaggerated by at least a million voters. Although brushed off by Maduro as part of a plot by "the international enemy," that gave grounds for Venezuelan Attorney General Luisa Ortega, a thorn in Maduro's side, to order an investigation. She said prosecutors had lodged court cases seeking to have the Constituent Assembly annulled, though few in Venezuela believed that would be achieved. The country's supreme court has systematically sided with the president in blocking prosecutorial or legislative gambits against the government. Defiance Using his daily appearances on state television, Maduro has lashed out at several of the 40 countries that admonished him for seeing through the creation of the new assembly. After being hit with US sanctions and called a dictator by US President Donald Trump, Maduro said defiantly that he was standing up to what he called imperialism. The Venezuelan leader also slammed Mexico, Chile, and Peru as American vassals for saying they would not recognize the new assembly. But with the European Union and other nations also condemning the Constituent Assembly, Maduro is fighting against a broad tide, even if he has the support of Russia, which holds billions in Venezuelan debt, as well as Cuba, Bolivia and Nicaragua. Diving currency The uncertainty and unease surrounding the path Maduro has set Venezuela on has been reflected in an accelerating depreciation of the country's already debilitated currency, the bolivar. It lost more than 17 per cent of its value against the dollar on Thursday, placing scarce imported food and medicine further out of reach for many Venezuelans. One analyst, Luis Salamanca, said the new assembly "is being born badly, but Maduro doesn't care. He just wants a Constituent Assembly that suits him." According to Datanalisis, a polling firm, 72 per cent of Venezuelans reject the assembly. And 80 per cent reject Maduro's leadership. But the president enjoys the backing of the military, as well as judicial and electoral authorities, allowing him to forge on. "More than changing the constitution, the main goal is to govern without limits," said another analyst, Benigno Alarcon.

President Maduro to install new assembly amid protests by opposition

The United States hit Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with direct sanctions on Monday over a disputed and deadly weekend vote, calling him a &quot;dictator,&quot; while the leader refused to heed what he slammed as &quot;imperial orders.&quot;

The measures were unusual in that they targeted a sitting head of state, but their reach was mostly symbolic, freezing any US assets Maduro might have and banning people under US jurisdiction from dealing with him.

&quot;Yesterday&#39;s illegitimate elections confirm that Maduro is a dictator who disregards the will of the Venezuelan people,&quot; US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters.

Maduro lashed out at the move, saying it smacked of American imperialism.

&quot;I will not obey imperial orders,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
&quot;I am so proud, Mr. Donald Trump,&quot; Maduro joked in English, before switching to slang in Spanish: &quot;Go for it, already. I am being targeted with sanctions because I do not obey the orders of foreign governments.&quot;

Colombia, Mexico, Peru and other nations joined the US in saying they did not recognise the results of Sunday&#39;s election, which appointed a new &quot;Constituent Assembly&quot; superseding Venezuela&#39;s legislative body, the opposition-controlled National Assembly.

Maduro&#39;s own attorney general, Luisa Ortega, who broke with him months ago over his policies, also said she would not acknowledge the body, calling it part of the president&#39;s &quot;dictatorial ambition.&quot; 
The European Union expressed &quot;preoccupation for the fate of democracy in Venezuela&quot; and said it, too, doubted it could accept the results.

And Britain&#39;s Foreign Minister Boris Johnson warned that Venezuela &quot;stands on the brink of disaster.&quot;&nbsp; 
&quot;Nicolas Maduro&#39;s government must stop before it is too late,&quot; he said.

However, old allies Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Russia stood by Maduro, who shrugged off mass protests and a previous round of US sanctions on some of his officials to see through the election.

Cuba, Venezuela&#39;s closest ally, charged that &quot;a well-organised international operation was under way, led from Washington, with the support of the OAS chief, aimed at silencing the voice of the Venezuelan people, and forcing them into submission with attacks and economic sanctions.&quot;&nbsp;

&nbsp;More protests&nbsp;

The National Electoral Council claimed more than 40 per cent of Venezuela&#39;s 20 million voters had cast ballots on Sunday.

According to the opposition, voter turnout was closer to 12 per cent, a figure more aligned with the lack of lines at many polling stations.

Surveys by polling firm Datanalisis showed more than 70 per cent of Venezuelans opposed the new assembly.

Further protests were called for Monday and beyond, stoking fears that the death toll of 120 people killed in four months of protests against Maduro could rise further.

&quot;I feel awful, frustrated with this fraud,&quot; said Caracas resident Giancarlo Fernandez, 35.

Demonstrators defied a ban on protests set by Maduro that threatened up to 10 years in prison for violators.

Ten people died in violence surrounding Sunday&#39;s election, which saw security forces fire tear gas and, in some cases, live ammunition to put down protests. Among those killed were two teens and a Venezuelan soldier.

Boycotted by the opposition, and voted for largely by state employees fearful for their jobs, the Constituent Assembly was made up solely of members of Maduro&#39;s ruling Socialist Party.

Tasked with writing a new constitution, it has far-reaching powers, including the right to dissolve the National Assembly and change laws.

It is due to be installed on Wednesday.

More sanctions?&nbsp;

The European Union condemned the &quot;excessive and disproportionate use of force&quot; by Venezuelan police and troops on Sunday.&nbsp;

A spokeswoman for the European Commission said &quot;A Constituent Assembly, elected under doubtful and often violent circumstances, cannot be part of the solution.&quot;

Russia, however, threw its weight behind Maduro and the election, backing the government turnout figure.&nbsp; 
The foreign ministry in Moscow said in a statement it hopes countries &quot;who apparently want to increase economic pressure on Caracas will display restraint and abandon their destructive plans.&quot;

Yet analysts agreed that Maduro&#39;s move had swept away any vestige of democracy in Venezuela.

&quot;Maduro&#39;s blatant power grab removes any ambiguity about whether Venezuela is a democracy,&quot; said Michael Shifter, head of the Inter-American Dialogue research center.

Venezuela&#39;s 30 million citizens are suffering through shortages of basic goods.&nbsp;

Sanctions against the all-important oil sector would worsen their situation, but could also destabilize the government, which is frenziedly printing money and running out of foreign currency reserves.

The Venezuela leader refused to heed to the US slamming it as 'imperial orders'

The United States hit Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with direct sanctions on Monday over a disputed and deadly weekend vote, calling him a "dictator," while the leader refused to heed what he slammed as "imperial orders." The measures were unusual in that they targeted a sitting head of state, but their reach was mostly symbolic, freezing any US assets Maduro might have and banning people under US jurisdiction from dealing with him. "Yesterday's illegitimate elections confirm that Maduro is a dictator who disregards the will of the Venezuelan people," US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters. Maduro lashed out at the move, saying it smacked of American imperialism. "I will not obey imperial orders," he said. "I am so proud, Mr. Donald Trump," Maduro joked in English, before switching to slang in Spanish: "Go for it, already. I am being targeted with sanctions because I do not obey the orders of foreign governments." Colombia, Mexico, Peru and other nations joined the US in saying they did not recognise the results of Sunday's election, which appointed a new "Constituent Assembly" superseding Venezuela's legislative body, the opposition-controlled National Assembly. Maduro's own attorney general, Luisa Ortega, who broke with him months ago over his policies, also said she would not acknowledge the body, calling it part of the president's "dictatorial ambition." The European Union expressed "preoccupation for the fate of democracy in Venezuela" and said it, too, doubted it could accept the results. And Britain's Foreign Minister Boris Johnson warned that Venezuela "stands on the brink of disaster." "Nicolas Maduro's government must stop before it is too late," he said. However, old allies Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Russia stood by Maduro, who shrugged off mass protests and a previous round of US sanctions on some of his officials to see through the election. Cuba, Venezuela's closest ally, charged that "a well-organised international operation was under way, led from Washington, with the support of the OAS chief, aimed at silencing the voice of the Venezuelan people, and forcing them into submission with attacks and economic sanctions." More protests The National Electoral Council claimed more than 40 per cent of Venezuela's 20 million voters had cast ballots on Sunday. According to the opposition, voter turnout was closer to 12 per cent, a figure more aligned with the lack of lines at many polling stations. Surveys by polling firm Datanalisis showed more than 70 per cent of Venezuelans opposed the new assembly. Further protests were called for Monday and beyond, stoking fears that the death toll of 120 people killed in four months of protests against Maduro could rise further. "I feel awful, frustrated with this fraud," said Caracas resident Giancarlo Fernandez, 35. Demonstrators defied a ban on protests set by Maduro that threatened up to 10 years in prison for violators. Ten people died in violence surrounding Sunday's election, which saw security forces fire tear gas and, in some cases, live ammunition to put down protests. Among those killed were two teens and a Venezuelan soldier. Boycotted by the opposition, and voted for largely by state employees fearful for their jobs, the Constituent Assembly was made up solely of members of Maduro's ruling Socialist Party. Tasked with writing a new constitution, it has far-reaching powers, including the right to dissolve the National Assembly and change laws. It is due to be installed on Wednesday. More sanctions? The European Union condemned the "excessive and disproportionate use of force" by Venezuelan police and troops on Sunday. A spokeswoman for the European Commission said "A Constituent Assembly, elected under doubtful and often violent circumstances, cannot be part of the solution." Russia, however, threw its weight behind Maduro and the election, backing the government turnout figure. The foreign ministry in Moscow said in a statement it hopes countries "who apparently want to increase economic pressure on Caracas will display restraint and abandon their destructive plans." Yet analysts agreed that Maduro's move had swept away any vestige of democracy in Venezuela. "Maduro's blatant power grab removes any ambiguity about whether Venezuela is a democracy," said Michael Shifter, head of the Inter-American Dialogue research center. Venezuela's 30 million citizens are suffering through shortages of basic goods. Sanctions against the all-important oil sector would worsen their situation, but could also destabilize the government, which is frenziedly printing money and running out of foreign currency reserves.

US hits 'dictator' Maduro with sanctions over disputed Venezuela vote

US President Donald Trump on Monday warned Caracas of &quot;economic actions&quot; if Nicolas Maduro delivers on his bid to rewrite the constitution, calling the Venezuelan president a &quot;bad leader who dreams of being a dictator.&quot;

&quot;The United States will not stand by as Venezuela crumbles,&quot; Trump said in a statement.&nbsp;

&quot;If the Maduro regime imposes its Constituent Assembly on July 30, the United States will take strong and swift economic actions,&quot; he said, without elaborating on what those measures would be.

Trump praised the Venezuelan opposition&#39;s unsanctioned Sunday vote that saw more than a third of the country&#39;s 19 million voters reject Maduro&#39;s plan to have a citizens&#39; body, dubbed a &quot;Constituent Assembly,&quot; elected on July 30 to redraft the constitution.

&quot;Yesterday, the Venezuelan people again made clear that they stand for democracy, freedom, and rule of law,&quot; Trump said.&nbsp;

&quot;Yet their strong and courageous actions continue to be ignored by a bad leader who dreams of becoming a dictator.&quot;

The US State Department also applauded Sunday&#39;s symbolic poll, and encouraged &quot;governments in the hemisphere and around the world to call on President Maduro to suspend this process which only seeks to undermine democracy in Venezuela.&quot;

Venezuela&#39;s vote -- which the Maduro administration dismissed as &quot;illegal&quot; -- came amid months of deadly protests against the socialist leader, as the country suffers from shortages of basic goods, soaring inflation and climbing unemployment.

The opposition has accused Maduro of driving the country into bankruptcy, and of planning to use the Constituent Assembly to sideline the legislature.&nbsp;

Yet Maduro has insisted the proposed body is &quot;the only path&quot; to peace and economic recovery. Thus far, he has shown no sign of backing down. 
&nbsp;

Venezuela's opposition called a nationwide strike to press President Nicolas Maduro to back off a rewriting of the constitution

US President Donald Trump on Monday warned Caracas of "economic actions" if Nicolas Maduro delivers on his bid to rewrite the constitution, calling the Venezuelan president a "bad leader who dreams of being a dictator." "The United States will not stand by as Venezuela crumbles," Trump said in a statement. "If the Maduro regime imposes its Constituent Assembly on July 30, the United States will take strong and swift economic actions," he said, without elaborating on what those measures would be. Trump praised the Venezuelan opposition's unsanctioned Sunday vote that saw more than a third of the country's 19 million voters reject Maduro's plan to have a citizens' body, dubbed a "Constituent Assembly," elected on July 30 to redraft the constitution. "Yesterday, the Venezuelan people again made clear that they stand for democracy, freedom, and rule of law," Trump said. "Yet their strong and courageous actions continue to be ignored by a bad leader who dreams of becoming a dictator." The US State Department also applauded Sunday's symbolic poll, and encouraged "governments in the hemisphere and around the world to call on President Maduro to suspend this process which only seeks to undermine democracy in Venezuela." Venezuela's vote -- which the Maduro administration dismissed as "illegal" -- came amid months of deadly protests against the socialist leader, as the country suffers from shortages of basic goods, soaring inflation and climbing unemployment. The opposition has accused Maduro of driving the country into bankruptcy, and of planning to use the Constituent Assembly to sideline the legislature. Yet Maduro has insisted the proposed body is "the only path" to peace and economic recovery. Thus far, he has shown no sign of backing down.

Trump warns Venezuela's Maduro of 'economic actions' over bid to rewrite constitution

&ldquo;The mother of all protests&rdquo; &ndash; that&rsquo;s what Venezuela&rsquo;s opposition movement called an enormous march last week, in which over a million citizens took to the streets to &ldquo;defend the homeland&rdquo; against President Nicol&aacute;s Maduro&rsquo;s increasingly authoritarian regime.

Protests alone rarely spur regime change. But without them &ndash; in Venezuela, as in many countries &ndash; political transition is impossible. And it is now evident that the wave of protests that has seized the country in recent weeks has had a significant impact on the evolution of Venezuela&rsquo;s political situation, even though some might wish to deny this.

The pro-democracy parties and movements that oppose the Maduro government have managed to shift the battleground for their political fight. They have taken it out of state institutions where their only support is in the legislature, which has long been neutered by administration-controlled institutions, such as the Supreme Court, and onto the streets.

The immense public show of anger was unexpected, and it has made for a more symmetrical conflict between the government and its opposition. But will the current demonstrations end differently than the 2014 protest movement or last year&rsquo;s failed attempt to remove the president via referendum?

The answer to this question largely depends on what position the Venezuelan military now takes.

Loosening grip

For many years, Venezuela&rsquo;s authoritarian regime had two advantages: Hugo Ch&aacute;vez&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/venezuela/9911642/Hugo-Chavez-Venezuelans-mourn-death-of-charismatic-leader.html">charismatic leadership</a> and abundant <a href="https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/oil-made-venezuela-rich-and-now-its-making-it-poor/">oil income</a>, which allowed the government to finance clientelistic relations and foster support with vested interests.

Together, they enabled Ch&aacute;vez&rsquo;s United Socialist Party of Venezuela to <a href="http://www.psuv.org.ve/portada/hoy-se-cumplen-14-anos-primer-triunfo-electoral-comandante-chavez/#.WQj_IlKZNYc">triumph in almost every election</a> from 1998 to 2012. But Maduro, his chosen successor, has neither going for him. And he is now facing the collapse of the Ch&aacute;vez model and the impossibility of reestablishing his government&rsquo;s legitimacy electorally.

Ever since his party was defeated in legislative elections in December 2015, the president has relied on a complicit Supreme Court and National Election Council to avoid being removed via an opposition-supported recall referendum.

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At the protest in front of the Justice Palace <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Valencia?src=hash">#Valencia</a> , <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Venezuela?src=hash">#Venezuela</a>. <a href="https://t.co/in03uhH7IU">pic.twitter.com/in03uhH7IU</a>
&mdash; Tito Zerpa Figarella (@tzerpaf) <a href="https://twitter.com/tzerpaf/status/859109187393122304">May 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Those government bodies have also enabled him to indefinitely postpone gubernatorial elections that, constitutionally speaking, should <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/04/08/523058318/opposition-parties-in-venezuela-prepare-for-elections-hoping-they-will-come">have taken place last year</a> (polls indicated that ruling party candidates would roundly lose).

Venezuela&rsquo;s situation is not unprecedented. Eventually, every authoritarian regime that has used elections to maintain power (Mexico&rsquo;s Partido Revolucionario Institucional is another Latin American example), reaches the point where, having lost political support, it has two choices: try to negotiate the consequences of an electoral defeat or seek to stay in power through the use of brute force.

If it chooses the latter, the government must depend principally on cooperation from the military. And this is the uncomfortable position in which Maduro now finds himself.

The generals in their labyrinth

But Venezuela&rsquo;s armed forces are facing their own dilemma: either maintain a neutral institutional role or support the regime in repressing its own people.

Authoritarian regimes that stay in power using violence are well aware of their dependency on the military, so they try to find ways to gain its commitment, including by incorporating the military into the government itself.

The practice of appointing generals into positions of power existed under Ch&aacute;vez, but it has increased markedly since Maduro&rsquo;s dubious election in 2013, which called into question the legitimacy of his government. And it&rsquo;s now difficult to distinguish between government and the military as a significant number of Maduro&rsquo;s cabinet members are active in the armed forces.

The military&rsquo;s commitment to its government can also be facilitated by incentivising or planning confrontations in which soldiers become personally responsible for violating the human rights of citizens. This tactic turns the army into a hostage of the status quo.

This quandary is the greatest asset of those who seek regime change in Venezuela today. The ongoing mass protests have actually shifted the balance of power toward the opposition, at least temporarily, because continuing to repress demonstrators will have an increasingly high cost for both the government and the military.

Protests aren&rsquo;t cost-free for the opposition, of course. Since this wave of demonstrations began in late March, <a href="http://noticieros.televisa.com/ultimas-noticias/internacional/2017-04-26/sube-29-cifra-muertos-durante-protestas-venezuela/">29 people have been killed</a>, along with a large (but undefined) number who have been wounded and arrested.

The main worry is not that this wave of protests will flicker out without producing yearned-for political change. It&rsquo;s that if it does fail, it will leave the battlefield negatively balanced, setting the opposition back and again reinforcing Maduro&rsquo;s power.

The challenge for Venezuela&rsquo;s generals at this point is to find a way out of this labyrinth that allows them to protect both their personal and professional interests, which do not always overlap.

Soldiers are accustomed to obeying orders but there&rsquo;s no guarantee that they will help implement illegitimate decisions, such as cracking down ever harder on protesters. And if commanders and troops refuse to pay the price for human rights violations by personally and absolutely implicating themselves in the status quo, then the military&rsquo;s bottom-heavy pyramid structure may well collapse along with the government.

At this point, following orders could prove costlier than disobedience for those in the army.

Playing with time

All this means continued demonstrations could actually spur political change in Venezuela.

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Today&#39;s protest against Maduro&#39;s Government in Caracas. Just minutes before the crowd was attacked by the military <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Venezuela?src=hash">#Venezuela</a> <a href="https://t.co/8h0xrW1EOC">pic.twitter.com/8h0xrW1EOC</a>
&mdash; Maria Alesia Sosa (@MariaAlesiaSosa) <a href="https://twitter.com/MariaAlesiaSosa/status/857326071720669184">April 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Generally speaking, time works against protest movements. But repression works against governments because it creates a vicious cycle. When the government uses force against protesters it loses credibility. And the more credibility it loses, the more it relies on the use of force, which, in turn, spurs protesters to keep on marching.

The fact is that the Maduro regime&rsquo;s survival depends almost exclusively on whether the armed forces are willing to violently repress the Venezuelan people. And that decision depends on the cost-benefit analysis up and down the military chain of command as generals and soldiers alike weigh the pros and cons of their current dilemma.

<img alt="The Conversation" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/77080/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" width="1" />They have to decide whether to maintain the status quo by using force or step back and allow change to happen in a less traumatic way. That is, after all, how democracy works.

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/in-restless-venezuela-the-military-will-determine-how-long-maduros-regime-can-last-77080">original article</a>.

The county's armed forces are facing their own dilemma: either maintain a neutral institutional role or support the regime in repressing its own people

“The mother of all protests” – that’s what Venezuela’s opposition movement called an enormous march last week, in which over a million citizens took to the streets to “defend the homeland” against President Nicolás Maduro’s increasingly authoritarian regime. Protests alone rarely spur regime change. But without them – in Venezuela, as in many countries – political transition is impossible. And it is now evident that the wave of protests that has seized the country in recent weeks has had a significant impact on the evolution of Venezuela’s political situation, even though some might wish to deny this. The pro-democracy parties and movements that oppose the Maduro government have managed to shift the battleground for their political fight. They have taken it out of state institutions where their only support is in the legislature, which has long been neutered by administration-controlled institutions, such as the Supreme Court, and onto the streets. The immense public show of anger was unexpected, and it has made for a more symmetrical conflict between the government and its opposition. But will the current demonstrations end differently than the 2014 protest movement or last year’s failed attempt to remove the president via referendum? The answer to this question largely depends on what position the Venezuelan military now takes. Loosening grip For many years, Venezuela’s authoritarian regime had two advantages: Hugo Chávez’s charismatic leadership and abundant oil income, which allowed the government to finance clientelistic relations and foster support with vested interests. Together, they enabled Chávez’s United Socialist Party of Venezuela to triumph in almost every election from 1998 to 2012. But Maduro, his chosen successor, has neither going for him. And he is now facing the collapse of the Chávez model and the impossibility of reestablishing his government’s legitimacy electorally. Ever since his party was defeated in legislative elections in December 2015, the president has relied on a complicit Supreme Court and National Election Council to avoid being removed via an opposition-supported recall referendum. At the protest in front of the Justice Palace #Valencia , #Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/in03uhH7IU — Tito Zerpa Figarella (@tzerpaf) May 1, 2017 × Those government bodies have also enabled him to indefinitely postpone gubernatorial elections that, constitutionally speaking, should have taken place last year (polls indicated that ruling party candidates would roundly lose). Venezuela’s situation is not unprecedented. Eventually, every authoritarian regime that has used elections to maintain power (Mexico’s Partido Revolucionario Institucional is another Latin American example), reaches the point where, having lost political support, it has two choices: try to negotiate the consequences of an electoral defeat or seek to stay in power through the use of brute force. If it chooses the latter, the government must depend principally on cooperation from the military. And this is the uncomfortable position in which Maduro now finds himself. The generals in their labyrinth But Venezuela’s armed forces are facing their own dilemma: either maintain a neutral institutional role or support the regime in repressing its own people. Authoritarian regimes that stay in power using violence are well aware of their dependency on the military, so they try to find ways to gain its commitment, including by incorporating the military into the government itself. The practice of appointing generals into positions of power existed under Chávez, but it has increased markedly since Maduro’s dubious election in 2013, which called into question the legitimacy of his government. And it’s now difficult to distinguish between government and the military as a significant number of Maduro’s cabinet members are active in the armed forces. The military’s commitment to its government can also be facilitated by incentivising or planning confrontations in which soldiers become personally responsible for violating the human rights of citizens. This tactic turns the army into a hostage of the status quo. This quandary is the greatest asset of those who seek regime change in Venezuela today. The ongoing mass protests have actually shifted the balance of power toward the opposition, at least temporarily, because continuing to repress demonstrators will have an increasingly high cost for both the government and the military. Protests aren’t cost-free for the opposition, of course. Since this wave of demonstrations began in late March, 29 people have been killed, along with a large (but undefined) number who have been wounded and arrested. The main worry is not that this wave of protests will flicker out without producing yearned-for political change. It’s that if it does fail, it will leave the battlefield negatively balanced, setting the opposition back and again reinforcing Maduro’s power. The challenge for Venezuela’s generals at this point is to find a way out of this labyrinth that allows them to protect both their personal and professional interests, which do not always overlap. Soldiers are accustomed to obeying orders but there’s no guarantee that they will help implement illegitimate decisions, such as cracking down ever harder on protesters. And if commanders and troops refuse to pay the price for human rights violations by personally and absolutely implicating themselves in the status quo, then the military’s bottom-heavy pyramid structure may well collapse along with the government. At this point, following orders could prove costlier than disobedience for those in the army. Playing with time All this means continued demonstrations could actually spur political change in Venezuela. Today's protest against Maduro's Government in Caracas. Just minutes before the crowd was attacked by the military #Venezuela pic.twitter.com/8h0xrW1EOC — Maria Alesia Sosa (@MariaAlesiaSosa) April 26, 2017 × Generally speaking, time works against protest movements. But repression works against governments because it creates a vicious cycle. When the government uses force against protesters it loses credibility. And the more credibility it loses, the more it relies on the use of force, which, in turn, spurs protesters to keep on marching. The fact is that the Maduro regime’s survival depends almost exclusively on whether the armed forces are willing to violently repress the Venezuelan people. And that decision depends on the cost-benefit analysis up and down the military chain of command as generals and soldiers alike weigh the pros and cons of their current dilemma. They have to decide whether to maintain the status quo by using force or step back and allow change to happen in a less traumatic way. That is, after all, how democracy works. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

In restless Venezuela, the military will determine how long Maduro?s regime can last

Venezuela&#39;s attorney general raised the stakes in her standoff with the government Tuesday by demanding eight Supreme Court judges loyal to President Nicolas Maduro be put on trial.

A staunch figure of the ruling party, Attorney General Luisa Ortega, 59, is the highest public official to break ranks with Maduro over the country&#39;s deadly political crisis.

She has accused him and his allies of acting unconstitutionally in their standoff against the opposition in recent months of anti-government protests.

In her latest maneuver to pressure the socialist president, she told reporters she&#39;d filed a case accusing the eight judges of allowing &quot;a breakdown in constitutional order.&quot;

The charge refers to a ruling by the court in late March that seized power from the opposition-controlled National Assembly legislature.

The court later revoked the decision under international pressure, but it sparked a series of protests that has continued ever since.

Clashes between demonstrators and police have left 67 people dead, according to prosecutors.

Ortega said in a radio interview on Monday that intelligence officials had been threatening and harassing her family.

Pro-government lawmaker Pedro Carreno filed a motion in the assembly calling for the court to order that Ortega be examined by a psychologist.

&quot;It is clear that this lady is not in her right mind,&quot; he told reporters. He called for experts to declare she was suffering from &quot;insanity&quot; and should be fired.

&nbsp;

A stubborn fight against president

Former Supreme Court judge Blanca Rosa Marmol told AFP the assembly was the only body legally entitled to remove an attorney general from her post.

Analysts say Ortega&#39;s legal challenges to the government could widen divisions in Maduro&#39;s camp, making it harder for him to stay in power.

Last week, she filed a challenge against his effort to rewrite the constitution, branding it undemocratic.

The court dismissed the appeal on Monday, but Ortega promptly responded with a new series of legal challenges against the judges.

Maduro is accused of controlling the Supreme Court, which has fended off numerous legal and legislative moves against him over the past year and a half.

Protestors blame him for an economic crisis that has caused desperate shortages of food and medicine in the oil-rich country.

Maduro says the crisis is a US-backed conspiracy. He retains the public backing of the military.

&quot;Whether it rains, thunders or lightens on July 30 there will be elections,&quot; Maduro said, referring to the constitutional assembly he wants to rewrite the document to expand his powers. &quot;And in August, we&#39;ll have our constituent assembly,&quot; he said.

Maduro says the reforms are in response to the protests, but his opponents say that is a mere ploy to cling to power.

A survey by pollster Datanalisis indicated that 85 per cent of Venezuelans opposed Maduro&#39;s plan.

(AFP)

Attorney General Luisa Ortega told reporters she'd filed a case accusing the eight judges of allowing 'a breakdown in constitutional order'

Venezuela's attorney general raised the stakes in her standoff with the government Tuesday by demanding eight Supreme Court judges loyal to President Nicolas Maduro be put on trial. A staunch figure of the ruling party, Attorney General Luisa Ortega, 59, is the highest public official to break ranks with Maduro over the country's deadly political crisis. She has accused him and his allies of acting unconstitutionally in their standoff against the opposition in recent months of anti-government protests. In her latest maneuver to pressure the socialist president, she told reporters she'd filed a case accusing the eight judges of allowing "a breakdown in constitutional order." The charge refers to a ruling by the court in late March that seized power from the opposition-controlled National Assembly legislature. The court later revoked the decision under international pressure, but it sparked a series of protests that has continued ever since. Clashes between demonstrators and police have left 67 people dead, according to prosecutors. Ortega said in a radio interview on Monday that intelligence officials had been threatening and harassing her family. Pro-government lawmaker Pedro Carreno filed a motion in the assembly calling for the court to order that Ortega be examined by a psychologist. "It is clear that this lady is not in her right mind," he told reporters. He called for experts to declare she was suffering from "insanity" and should be fired. A stubborn fight against president Former Supreme Court judge Blanca Rosa Marmol told AFP the assembly was the only body legally entitled to remove an attorney general from her post. Analysts say Ortega's legal challenges to the government could widen divisions in Maduro's camp, making it harder for him to stay in power. Last week, she filed a challenge against his effort to rewrite the constitution, branding it undemocratic. The court dismissed the appeal on Monday, but Ortega promptly responded with a new series of legal challenges against the judges. Maduro is accused of controlling the Supreme Court, which has fended off numerous legal and legislative moves against him over the past year and a half. Protestors blame him for an economic crisis that has caused desperate shortages of food and medicine in the oil-rich country. Maduro says the crisis is a US-backed conspiracy. He retains the public backing of the military. "Whether it rains, thunders or lightens on July 30 there will be elections," Maduro said, referring to the constitutional assembly he wants to rewrite the document to expand his powers. "And in August, we'll have our constituent assembly," he said. Maduro says the reforms are in response to the protests, but his opponents say that is a mere ploy to cling to power. A survey by pollster Datanalisis indicated that 85 per cent of Venezuelans opposed Maduro's plan. (AFP)

Venezuela's renegade attorney general targets judges

Venezuelan police have arrested nearly 3,000 people in the two months since a wave of anti-government protests erupted, a judicial campaign group said on Tuesday.

President Nicolas Maduro&#39;s opponents accuse him of repressing protesters who are calling for elections to remove him from office. He accuses them of plotting a coup against him.

Foro Penal (the Criminal Justice Forum) has counted 2,977 people arrested during the deadly unrest, of whom 1,351 are still in detention,&nbsp;director Alfredo Romero told a news conference.

Of those, 197 have been jailed after being sentenced by military courts, said a lawyer working for the group, Alonso Medina.

&quot;This is a situation that occurs under dictatorial regimes,&quot; Medina said.

Prosecutors say 60 people have been killed in violence linked to the protests since they broke out on April 1, many of them shot dead.

Riot police have fired tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets. Protesters have hurled Molotov cocktails and rocks.

That was the picture Tuesday as well when about 2,000 demonstrators took to the streets against Maduro. Police used tear gas and flash-bang explosives to break up crowds.&nbsp;

The crowd was unable to move out of the east end of Caracas. Most fled from the gas, but a few holdouts who were wearing helmets kept clashing with authorities on motorcycles who were hit with rocks and Molotov cocktails.

&quot;People are not getting tired of protesting; they are getting more and more tired of this government, and of going hungry,&quot; Arturo, a university student of 26, told AFP.

Venezuela&#39;s government and opposition accuse each other of sending armed groups to sow violence in the demonstrations.

The opposition blames Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused shortages of food and basic supplies, while the socialist president says the crisis is a US-backed conspiracy.

(AFP)

President Nicolas Maduro's opponents accuse him of repressing protesters who are calling for elections to remove him from office

Venezuelan police have arrested nearly 3,000 people in the two months since a wave of anti-government protests erupted, a judicial campaign group said on Tuesday. President Nicolas Maduro's opponents accuse him of repressing protesters who are calling for elections to remove him from office. He accuses them of plotting a coup against him. Foro Penal (the Criminal Justice Forum) has counted 2,977 people arrested during the deadly unrest, of whom 1,351 are still in detention, director Alfredo Romero told a news conference. Of those, 197 have been jailed after being sentenced by military courts, said a lawyer working for the group, Alonso Medina. "This is a situation that occurs under dictatorial regimes," Medina said. Prosecutors say 60 people have been killed in violence linked to the protests since they broke out on April 1, many of them shot dead. Riot police have fired tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets. Protesters have hurled Molotov cocktails and rocks. That was the picture Tuesday as well when about 2,000 demonstrators took to the streets against Maduro. Police used tear gas and flash-bang explosives to break up crowds. The crowd was unable to move out of the east end of Caracas. Most fled from the gas, but a few holdouts who were wearing helmets kept clashing with authorities on motorcycles who were hit with rocks and Molotov cocktails. "People are not getting tired of protesting; they are getting more and more tired of this government, and of going hungry," Arturo, a university student of 26, told AFP. Venezuela's government and opposition accuse each other of sending armed groups to sow violence in the demonstrations. The opposition blames Maduro for an economic crisis that has caused shortages of food and basic supplies, while the socialist president says the crisis is a US-backed conspiracy. (AFP)

Nearly 3,000 arrested in two months of Venezuela's anti-Maduro protests: NGO

Courier services have told customers that the Venezuelan customs authority has banned them from importing items such as gas masks, slingshots and bulletproof vests used by some demonstrators in anti-government protests.

Other prohibited items include first aid supplies such as burn cream and gauze, according to emailed messages sent to clients this week by the package delivery companies. These goods have been used to treat injured protestors.

Courier services sending the advisories included local service Zoom and the Venezuela office of Mail Boxes Etc, known as MBE.

Another company, BVA Export, told clients in an email, &quot;It is not allowed to send gas masks and items that can be used for defense and/or attack in the Venezuelan protests.&quot; It included a detailed list of the products that it said had been banned.

There was no immediate response by the companies to requests for comment.

Government officials have publicly accused the opposition of using courier services to equip demonstrators in nearly two months of near-daily clashes with security forces.

Referring to unidentified courier services, Jose Cabello, head of Venezuela&#39;s tax and customs agency Seniat, said in a statement early this week that, &quot;(The opposition) will not use the ports of our country as a bridge to arm their terrorist groups.&quot;

The Seniat and the Information Ministry on Saturday did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the courier services&#39; notifications of the banned imports.

President Nicolas Maduro calls the protests a violent effort to overthrow his government, and he insists the country victim of an &quot;economic war&quot; led by adversaries with the help of Washington.

The demonstrations have killed at least 58 people so far. Protesters routinely spend hours in clashes with National Guard troops and police, who disperse them and break up improvised barricades with a combination of tear gas, rubber bullets and armored vehicles.

Most protesters do not have gas masks and instead seek to abate the effects of tear gas with improvised solutions such as rubbing anti-acid liquid on their faces.

Courier services are primarily used by Venezuelans to buy goods such as food and medicine that are not available due to the chronic product shortages that now characterise the OPEC nation&#39;s once-prosperous economy.

Members of Venezuela&#39;s growing diaspora in countries such as the United States and Panama also use courier services to ship supplies to family back home.

(Reuters)

As violent protests grip the country, the government has also apparently banned goods used by demonstrators for treating injuries

Courier services have told customers that the Venezuelan customs authority has banned them from importing items such as gas masks, slingshots and bulletproof vests used by some demonstrators in anti-government protests. Other prohibited items include first aid supplies such as burn cream and gauze, according to emailed messages sent to clients this week by the package delivery companies. These goods have been used to treat injured protestors. Courier services sending the advisories included local service Zoom and the Venezuela office of Mail Boxes Etc, known as MBE. Another company, BVA Export, told clients in an email, "It is not allowed to send gas masks and items that can be used for defense and/or attack in the Venezuelan protests." It included a detailed list of the products that it said had been banned. There was no immediate response by the companies to requests for comment. Government officials have publicly accused the opposition of using courier services to equip demonstrators in nearly two months of near-daily clashes with security forces. Referring to unidentified courier services, Jose Cabello, head of Venezuela's tax and customs agency Seniat, said in a statement early this week that, "(The opposition) will not use the ports of our country as a bridge to arm their terrorist groups." The Seniat and the Information Ministry on Saturday did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the courier services' notifications of the banned imports. President Nicolas Maduro calls the protests a violent effort to overthrow his government, and he insists the country victim of an "economic war" led by adversaries with the help of Washington. The demonstrations have killed at least 58 people so far. Protesters routinely spend hours in clashes with National Guard troops and police, who disperse them and break up improvised barricades with a combination of tear gas, rubber bullets and armored vehicles. Most protesters do not have gas masks and instead seek to abate the effects of tear gas with improvised solutions such as rubbing anti-acid liquid on their faces. Courier services are primarily used by Venezuelans to buy goods such as food and medicine that are not available due to the chronic product shortages that now characterise the OPEC nation's once-prosperous economy. Members of Venezuela's growing diaspora in countries such as the United States and Panama also use courier services to ship supplies to family back home. (Reuters)

Venezuela bans imports of gas masks, bulletproof vests: Courier services

Demonstrators clashed with Venezuelan police again Saturday as they descended on the offices of the state media regulator, the latest in nearly two months of often-violent protests demanding the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro.

Youth with their faces covered blocked the main motorway running through Caracas, cutting it off with trucks that they then set on fire. They also erected barricades of rubble.&nbsp;

Police fired tear gas to disperse the rally, and demonstrators fought back by hurling Molotov cocktails and stones.

Demonstrations that kicked off in late March have claimed the lives of 58 people, as opposition leaders seek to ramp up pressure on Venezuela&#39;s leftist president, whose already-low popularity has cratered amid shortages of food and medicines, among other economic woes.

Saturday&#39;s protest in Caracas was held to mark 10 years since the government shuttered a popular television station.

The network, RCTV, was shut down by Maduro&#39;s predecessor, the late populist leader Hugo Chavez, after more than a half-century on the air, for its outspoken criticism of his government.

The move &quot;was an atrocious act against freedom of expression,&quot; Julio Borges, leader of the opposition-led legislature, said at the protest.

At the time, officials said the move to close RCTV aimed to &quot;democratize&quot; the airwaves in Venezuela.&nbsp;

Since its demise, a state television broadcaster, TVES, was founded and has been operating in its stead.

The government also ordered the Spanish version of CNN off the air in February, accusing it of broadcasting &quot;war propaganda.&quot;

&quot;You never find out about anything. We have to get information from Facebook and social media on the internet, through international TV channels,&quot; said Matilde Quintero, a retiree marching through Caracas wearing a cap with the yellow, blue and red colors of the national flag.&nbsp;

In a speech, Maduro praised staff at TVES, saying &quot;for 10 years they have been broadcasting humanist television.&quot;

Maduro also stood by his plan to elect a constituent assembly to rewrite the constitution and do so without input from opposition parties. Opposition leaders call this a ploy to avoid early elections and cling to power.

On Friday, riot police greeted throngs of protesters who rallied at a complex of buildings housing the defense ministry in Caracas.

Demonstrators had hoped to sway the support of the armed forces against Maduro, who has been resisting opposition calls for early elections.

Organizers said more protests are planned for Monday.

(AFP)P

Police fired tear gas to disperse the rally, and demonstrators fought back by hurling Molotov cocktails and stones

Demonstrators clashed with Venezuelan police again Saturday as they descended on the offices of the state media regulator, the latest in nearly two months of often-violent protests demanding the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro. Youth with their faces covered blocked the main motorway running through Caracas, cutting it off with trucks that they then set on fire. They also erected barricades of rubble. Police fired tear gas to disperse the rally, and demonstrators fought back by hurling Molotov cocktails and stones. Demonstrations that kicked off in late March have claimed the lives of 58 people, as opposition leaders seek to ramp up pressure on Venezuela's leftist president, whose already-low popularity has cratered amid shortages of food and medicines, among other economic woes. Saturday's protest in Caracas was held to mark 10 years since the government shuttered a popular television station. The network, RCTV, was shut down by Maduro's predecessor, the late populist leader Hugo Chavez, after more than a half-century on the air, for its outspoken criticism of his government. The move "was an atrocious act against freedom of expression," Julio Borges, leader of the opposition-led legislature, said at the protest. At the time, officials said the move to close RCTV aimed to "democratize" the airwaves in Venezuela. Since its demise, a state television broadcaster, TVES, was founded and has been operating in its stead. The government also ordered the Spanish version of CNN off the air in February, accusing it of broadcasting "war propaganda." "You never find out about anything. We have to get information from Facebook and social media on the internet, through international TV channels," said Matilde Quintero, a retiree marching through Caracas wearing a cap with the yellow, blue and red colors of the national flag. In a speech, Maduro praised staff at TVES, saying "for 10 years they have been broadcasting humanist television." Maduro also stood by his plan to elect a constituent assembly to rewrite the constitution and do so without input from opposition parties. Opposition leaders call this a ploy to avoid early elections and cling to power. On Friday, riot police greeted throngs of protesters who rallied at a complex of buildings housing the defense ministry in Caracas. Demonstrators had hoped to sway the support of the armed forces against Maduro, who has been resisting opposition calls for early elections. Organizers said more protests are planned for Monday. (AFP)P

Venezuela: Protesters clash with police over media freedom

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