Venezuela&#39;s President Nicolas Maduro pledged on Thursday to hold a referendum on a new constitution he has proposed to try and quell two months of anti-government unrest that has killed at least 62 people.

His comments came after criticism from opponents and some within his own government that his plan to create a new super-body, known as a constituent assembly, to rewrite the national charter was anti-democratic.

Chief state prosecutor Luisa Ortega had said creating the assembly without a plebiscite, as happened in 1999 when Maduro&#39;s predecessor Hugo Chavez rewrote the constitution, threatened to &quot;eliminate&quot; democracy in Venezuela.&nbsp;

Maduro said on state television: &quot;I shall propose it explicitly: the new constitution will go to a consultative referendum so it is the people who say whether they are in agreement or not with the new, strengthened constitution.&quot;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/street-clashes-continue-in-venezuela-as-president-aims-to-reform-constitution-248">See: The&nbsp;Venezuela unrest in pictures</a>

There was no immediate reaction from Venezuela&#39;s opposition, which now has majority support after years in the shadow of the ruling Socialist Party whose popularity has plunged during the OPEC nation`s brutal economic crisis.

Foes are likely to try and turn any referendum into a vote on Maduro himself. They have been calling for the next presidential election, slated for late 2018, to be brought forward.

The government has said elections for the new constituent assembly will be held in late July, although opposition leaders say the process is skewed to ensure a pro-Maduro majority.

There was no word on when the plebiscite would be held.

Earlier, authorities announced that gunmen had killed a judge involved in the sentencing of Venezuela&#39;s best-known jailed political leader, Leopoldo Lopez.

The judge, 37-year-old Nelson Moncada, was shot and stripped of his belongings as he tried to get away from a street barricade on Wednesday night in Caracas&#39;&nbsp;El Paraiso district, the scene of regular clashes, the prosecutor`s office said.

This week has seen widespread violence around the Venezuelan capital, with security forces repeatedly breaking up marches by opposition supporters towards government offices downtown, and skirmishes continuing into the night.&nbsp;

&#39;Democracy being eliminated&#39;

Protesters frequently block roads with trash and burning tires, sometimes asking passers-by for contributions towards a self-styled &quot;Resistance&quot; movement against Maduro.

El Paraiso has seen nightly clashes between demonstrators, pro-government gangs and National Guard soldiers.&nbsp;

The government said Moncada was one of the judges who ratified Lopez&#39;s 14-year jail sentence, and suggested that might have been the motive for his killing.&nbsp;

&quot;We cannot exclude the possibility this was done by hitmen hired by right-wing terrorists to keep creating and spreading terror,&quot; Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said, referring to Venezuela&#39;s opposition.

Victims from two months of unrest have included supporters on both sides, bystanders and members of the security forces.&nbsp;

The latest death came in Lara state, where 46-year-old Maria Rodriguez was shot during a demonstration on Thursday, the state prosecutor&#39;s office said, without giving more details.

Maduro, 54, calls his opponents coup-mongers seeking his violent overthrow with U.S. support akin to the short-lived ouster of his predecessor Hugo Chavez in 2002.&nbsp;

Ortega, the chief prosecutor, launched a blistering attack on Maduro from the steps of the pro-government Supreme Court, criticizing its ruling this week endorsing the assembly plan.&nbsp;

&quot;It seems that participative and protagonistic democracy, which cost Venezuelans so much (to get), is being eliminated,&quot; said Ortega, who broke with Maduro a few weeks ago.

&quot;This sentence is a backward step for human rights,&quot; she added, before reading extracts from a past Chavez speech. 
In further political drama, the Supreme Court ordered opposition leader Henrique Capriles on Thursday to avoid roadblocks in the Miranda state that he governs, or face jail.&nbsp;

Miranda includes part of the capital, Caracas, and the volatile towns of San Antonio de Los Altos and Los Teques, where anti-government street barricades have been common.&nbsp;

Capriles, a 44-year-old lawyer, narrowly lost a 2013 vote to Maduro after Chavez&#39;s death from cancer and has been at the forefront of this year&#39;s protests, calling for civil disobedience.&nbsp;

Authorities have already barred Capriles from running for new political posts for 15 years, over allegations of &quot;administrative irregularities&quot; that he denies, potentially hobbling another bid to run in 2018.

(Reuters)

There is no word on when the plebiscite will be held

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro pledged on Thursday to hold a referendum on a new constitution he has proposed to try and quell two months of anti-government unrest that has killed at least 62 people. His comments came after criticism from opponents and some within his own government that his plan to create a new super-body, known as a constituent assembly, to rewrite the national charter was anti-democratic. Chief state prosecutor Luisa Ortega had said creating the assembly without a plebiscite, as happened in 1999 when Maduro's predecessor Hugo Chavez rewrote the constitution, threatened to "eliminate" democracy in Venezuela. Maduro said on state television: "I shall propose it explicitly: the new constitution will go to a consultative referendum so it is the people who say whether they are in agreement or not with the new, strengthened constitution." See: The Venezuela unrest in pictures There was no immediate reaction from Venezuela's opposition, which now has majority support after years in the shadow of the ruling Socialist Party whose popularity has plunged during the OPEC nation`s brutal economic crisis. Foes are likely to try and turn any referendum into a vote on Maduro himself. They have been calling for the next presidential election, slated for late 2018, to be brought forward. The government has said elections for the new constituent assembly will be held in late July, although opposition leaders say the process is skewed to ensure a pro-Maduro majority. There was no word on when the plebiscite would be held. Earlier, authorities announced that gunmen had killed a judge involved in the sentencing of Venezuela's best-known jailed political leader, Leopoldo Lopez. The judge, 37-year-old Nelson Moncada, was shot and stripped of his belongings as he tried to get away from a street barricade on Wednesday night in Caracas' El Paraiso district, the scene of regular clashes, the prosecutor`s office said. This week has seen widespread violence around the Venezuelan capital, with security forces repeatedly breaking up marches by opposition supporters towards government offices downtown, and skirmishes continuing into the night. 'Democracy being eliminated' Protesters frequently block roads with trash and burning tires, sometimes asking passers-by for contributions towards a self-styled "Resistance" movement against Maduro. El Paraiso has seen nightly clashes between demonstrators, pro-government gangs and National Guard soldiers. The government said Moncada was one of the judges who ratified Lopez's 14-year jail sentence, and suggested that might have been the motive for his killing. "We cannot exclude the possibility this was done by hitmen hired by right-wing terrorists to keep creating and spreading terror," Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said, referring to Venezuela's opposition. Victims from two months of unrest have included supporters on both sides, bystanders and members of the security forces. The latest death came in Lara state, where 46-year-old Maria Rodriguez was shot during a demonstration on Thursday, the state prosecutor's office said, without giving more details. Maduro, 54, calls his opponents coup-mongers seeking his violent overthrow with U.S. support akin to the short-lived ouster of his predecessor Hugo Chavez in 2002. Ortega, the chief prosecutor, launched a blistering attack on Maduro from the steps of the pro-government Supreme Court, criticizing its ruling this week endorsing the assembly plan. "It seems that participative and protagonistic democracy, which cost Venezuelans so much (to get), is being eliminated," said Ortega, who broke with Maduro a few weeks ago. "This sentence is a backward step for human rights," she added, before reading extracts from a past Chavez speech. In further political drama, the Supreme Court ordered opposition leader Henrique Capriles on Thursday to avoid roadblocks in the Miranda state that he governs, or face jail. Miranda includes part of the capital, Caracas, and the volatile towns of San Antonio de Los Altos and Los Teques, where anti-government street barricades have been common. Capriles, a 44-year-old lawyer, narrowly lost a 2013 vote to Maduro after Chavez's death from cancer and has been at the forefront of this year's protests, calling for civil disobedience. Authorities have already barred Capriles from running for new political posts for 15 years, over allegations of "administrative irregularities" that he denies, potentially hobbling another bid to run in 2018. (Reuters)

Venezuela: President Maduro vows referendum, death toll from unrest hits 62

Venezuela&#39;s opposition-majority legislature declared on Sunday that President Nicolas Maduro&#39;s government had committed a coup d&#39;etat by blocking a referendum on removing him from power, vowing mass protests and international pressure.

Furious over the electoral authorities&#39; decision to suspend the process of organising a recall vote, opposition lawmakers passed a resolution declaring &quot;the breakdown of constitutional order&quot; and &quot;a coup d&#39;etat committed by the Nicolas Maduro regime.&quot;

In an emergency session on the economic and political crisis gripping the South American oil giant, lawmakers called on Venezuelans to &quot;actively defend&quot; the constitution and declared they would ask the international community to &quot;activate mechanisms&quot; to restore democracy.

&quot;A continual coup d&#39;etat has been perpetrated in Venezuela, culminating in the decision to rob us of a recall referendum. We&#39;re here to officially declare the regrettable and painful rupture of the constitution,&quot; said majority leader Julio Borges of the center-right opposition coalition, the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD).

The election board on Thursday suspended the opposition drive for a recall referendum, despite the OPEC nation&#39;s crushing economic crisis and Maduro&#39;s unpopularity.&nbsp;

Citing court orders due to government allegations of fraud in an initial signature drive, the election board cancelled the next phase in the lengthy referendum process: the collection of 4 million signatures to trigger the vote. 
Critics say both the judiciary and the election authority are subservient to the state, and barely any of their decisions have gone against Maduro since his rule began in 2013.

Pro-Maduro lawmakers accused the opposition itself of seeking to stage a coup. &quot;Don&#39;t try to take advantage of these hard times to finish off our nation,&quot; deputy Earle Herrera said.

Opposition lawmakers stopped short of voting to put Maduro on trial, as they had threatened to do in the day&#39;s agenda.

The session briefly descended into chaos when a group of Maduro supporters forced their way past security guards and burst into the national assembly, causing lawmakers to halt the proceedings for 45 minutes. Despite its harsh words, the legislature&#39;s resolution is largely symbolic.

The Supreme Court has declared the legislative majority in contempt of court for defying it by swearing in three lawmakers at the center of an electoral fraud investigation.

The opposition, which says the accusations are trumped up, condemns the high court as a Maduro lapdog.

The court has slapped down every bill passed by the legislature since the opposition took control in January. Venezuela&#39;s crisis hit a new low Thursday when the national electoral council (CNE) indefinitely suspended the recall referendum process after criminal courts in five states ruled the opposition had committed fraud in an initial petition drive.

Holding a recall referendum, a right guaranteed under Venezuela&#39;s constitution, was the opposition&#39;s main strategy to get rid of the man they accuse of driving the once-booming country to the brink of collapse.

The opposition had been gearing up for the last hurdle in the complex process: a three-day drive starting Wednesday to collect signatures from four million voters demanding a recall vote.

Now that the authorities have stymied that bid, furious opposition leaders have promised the start of a new wave of nationwide protests on Wednesday. Political analysts have warned of a risk of violent unrest in this country of 30 million people.

(Agencies) 
&nbsp;

Opposition vowed protests against the decision to block a referendum on removing Maduro from power, describing it as a 'coup'

Venezuela's opposition-majority legislature declared on Sunday that President Nicolas Maduro's government had committed a coup d'etat by blocking a referendum on removing him from power, vowing mass protests and international pressure. Furious over the electoral authorities' decision to suspend the process of organising a recall vote, opposition lawmakers passed a resolution declaring "the breakdown of constitutional order" and "a coup d'etat committed by the Nicolas Maduro regime." In an emergency session on the economic and political crisis gripping the South American oil giant, lawmakers called on Venezuelans to "actively defend" the constitution and declared they would ask the international community to "activate mechanisms" to restore democracy. "A continual coup d'etat has been perpetrated in Venezuela, culminating in the decision to rob us of a recall referendum. We're here to officially declare the regrettable and painful rupture of the constitution," said majority leader Julio Borges of the center-right opposition coalition, the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD). The election board on Thursday suspended the opposition drive for a recall referendum, despite the OPEC nation's crushing economic crisis and Maduro's unpopularity. Citing court orders due to government allegations of fraud in an initial signature drive, the election board cancelled the next phase in the lengthy referendum process: the collection of 4 million signatures to trigger the vote. Critics say both the judiciary and the election authority are subservient to the state, and barely any of their decisions have gone against Maduro since his rule began in 2013. Pro-Maduro lawmakers accused the opposition itself of seeking to stage a coup. "Don't try to take advantage of these hard times to finish off our nation," deputy Earle Herrera said. Opposition lawmakers stopped short of voting to put Maduro on trial, as they had threatened to do in the day's agenda. The session briefly descended into chaos when a group of Maduro supporters forced their way past security guards and burst into the national assembly, causing lawmakers to halt the proceedings for 45 minutes. Despite its harsh words, the legislature's resolution is largely symbolic. The Supreme Court has declared the legislative majority in contempt of court for defying it by swearing in three lawmakers at the center of an electoral fraud investigation. The opposition, which says the accusations are trumped up, condemns the high court as a Maduro lapdog. The court has slapped down every bill passed by the legislature since the opposition took control in January. Venezuela's crisis hit a new low Thursday when the national electoral council (CNE) indefinitely suspended the recall referendum process after criminal courts in five states ruled the opposition had committed fraud in an initial petition drive. Holding a recall referendum, a right guaranteed under Venezuela's constitution, was the opposition's main strategy to get rid of the man they accuse of driving the once-booming country to the brink of collapse. The opposition had been gearing up for the last hurdle in the complex process: a three-day drive starting Wednesday to collect signatures from four million voters demanding a recall vote. Now that the authorities have stymied that bid, furious opposition leaders have promised the start of a new wave of nationwide protests on Wednesday. Political analysts have warned of a risk of violent unrest in this country of 30 million people. (Agencies)

Venezuelan congress declares 'coup' by Maduro government

&nbsp;

A furious Venezuelan opposition vowed mass street protests next week, accusing the Socialist government Friday of staging a coup by blocking efforts for a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro.

The opposition MUD coalition called for nationwide demonstrations from next Wednesday against the decision to annul a key stage in the referendum process.

&quot;A coup d&#39;etat was carried out yesterday against all Venezuelans,&quot; Henrique Capriles, a leading MUD figure, told a press conference, shouting furiously.

Authorities on Thursday quashed the opposition&#39;s main strategy to get rid of the man they accuse of driving the oil-rich country to the brink of economic collapse.

The National Electoral Council (CNE) said it had indefinitely suspended the recall referendum process after criminal courts in five states ruled the opposition had committed fraud in an initial petition drive.

&nbsp;Nationwide protests&nbsp; 
The opposition had been gearing up for the last hurdle in the complex process: a three-day drive starting next Wednesday to collect signatures from four million voters demanding a recall referendum.

Now that the courts and electoral authorities have stymied that bid, Capriles said Wednesday would instead mark the start of a wave of street protests.

&quot;That day is going to be the beginning of a mobilisation across the whole country,&quot; he said.

&quot;We will take Venezuela from end to end. People will be mobilised in every corner of our country to restore constitutional order.&quot;

An opposition rally on September 1 drew hundreds of thousands of demonstrators in Caracas. Capriles vowed next week&#39;s action would be more sustained.

&quot;We will mobilise as much as we have to,&quot; he said.

Analysts have warned of a risk of violent unrest in this country of 30 million people.

Hit by the fall in crude oil prices, the economy has crashed. Food shortages have sparked looting over recent months.

Riots in 2014 left 43 people dead.

&quot;The referendum was going to be a pressure valve,&quot; said Jose Vicente Haro, a constitutional expert.

&quot;When the institutional paths are closed, there is a rise in violence and political conflict.&quot;

The top heads of the armed forces have previously pledged loyalty to Maduro but Capriles has insinuated in the past that mid-ranking officers suffering in the crisis may feel differently.

&quot;I hope the patriotic military servicemen of our country will uphold the constitution,&quot; he said Friday.

The United States said it was &quot;deeply concerned&quot; by the decision to halt the referendum process.

&quot;By doing so, we believe the CNE prevents the Venezuelan people from exercising their important constitutional right,&quot; said state department spokesman John Kirby.

Maduro has accused Washington of plotting to overthrow him. He brands the crisis a capitalist conspiracy.

Capriles alleged he and seven other opposition figures had received court orders barring them from leaving the country.

Maduro&#39;s camp hinted it would seek to have opposition leaders jailed over the alleged fraud.

It has previously sidelined opponents by jailing them, such as Leopoldo Lopez, the leader of the anti-government protests in 2014.

&quot;Let us hope that those responsible will now be sought out and detained and go to prison for the deception they have committed,&quot; Maduro&#39;s number two, Diosdado Cabello, said in a speech.

Public support for Maduro has crumbled under the pressure of a crippling recession, soaring inflation and widespread shortages of food, medicine and basic goods.

A recent poll found more than 75 per cent of Venezuelans disapprove of Maduro. 
&nbsp; 
The MUD says Maduro and his allies control the courts and electoral authorities and are using them to cling to power.

Maduro accused the opposition of &quot;gigantic fraud,&quot; in a speech before leaving on a tour of the Middle East.

There he planned to push his plan for major oil producers to slash output, to boost prices in the hope of dragging Venezuela out of crisis.

(AFP)

The MUD's declaration comes after the National Electoral Council suspended the recall referendum process in compliance to court's orders

A furious Venezuelan opposition vowed mass street protests next week, accusing the Socialist government Friday of staging a coup by blocking efforts for a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro. The opposition MUD coalition called for nationwide demonstrations from next Wednesday against the decision to annul a key stage in the referendum process. "A coup d'etat was carried out yesterday against all Venezuelans," Henrique Capriles, a leading MUD figure, told a press conference, shouting furiously. Authorities on Thursday quashed the opposition's main strategy to get rid of the man they accuse of driving the oil-rich country to the brink of economic collapse. The National Electoral Council (CNE) said it had indefinitely suspended the recall referendum process after criminal courts in five states ruled the opposition had committed fraud in an initial petition drive. Nationwide protests The opposition had been gearing up for the last hurdle in the complex process: a three-day drive starting next Wednesday to collect signatures from four million voters demanding a recall referendum. Now that the courts and electoral authorities have stymied that bid, Capriles said Wednesday would instead mark the start of a wave of street protests. "That day is going to be the beginning of a mobilisation across the whole country," he said. "We will take Venezuela from end to end. People will be mobilised in every corner of our country to restore constitutional order." An opposition rally on September 1 drew hundreds of thousands of demonstrators in Caracas. Capriles vowed next week's action would be more sustained. "We will mobilise as much as we have to," he said. Analysts have warned of a risk of violent unrest in this country of 30 million people. Hit by the fall in crude oil prices, the economy has crashed. Food shortages have sparked looting over recent months. Riots in 2014 left 43 people dead. "The referendum was going to be a pressure valve," said Jose Vicente Haro, a constitutional expert. "When the institutional paths are closed, there is a rise in violence and political conflict." The top heads of the armed forces have previously pledged loyalty to Maduro but Capriles has insinuated in the past that mid-ranking officers suffering in the crisis may feel differently. "I hope the patriotic military servicemen of our country will uphold the constitution," he said Friday. The United States said it was "deeply concerned" by the decision to halt the referendum process. "By doing so, we believe the CNE prevents the Venezuelan people from exercising their important constitutional right," said state department spokesman John Kirby. Maduro has accused Washington of plotting to overthrow him. He brands the crisis a capitalist conspiracy. Capriles alleged he and seven other opposition figures had received court orders barring them from leaving the country. Maduro's camp hinted it would seek to have opposition leaders jailed over the alleged fraud. It has previously sidelined opponents by jailing them, such as Leopoldo Lopez, the leader of the anti-government protests in 2014. "Let us hope that those responsible will now be sought out and detained and go to prison for the deception they have committed," Maduro's number two, Diosdado Cabello, said in a speech. Public support for Maduro has crumbled under the pressure of a crippling recession, soaring inflation and widespread shortages of food, medicine and basic goods. A recent poll found more than 75 per cent of Venezuelans disapprove of Maduro. The MUD says Maduro and his allies control the courts and electoral authorities and are using them to cling to power. Maduro accused the opposition of "gigantic fraud," in a speech before leaving on a tour of the Middle East. There he planned to push his plan for major oil producers to slash output, to boost prices in the hope of dragging Venezuela out of crisis. (AFP)

Venezuela: Opposition calls for nationwide protests, threatens coup

Venezuela&#39;s electoral commission on Thursday suspended the signature collection process needed to initiate&nbsp;a&nbsp;referendum against President Nicolas Maduro.&nbsp;

The electoral body said it was abiding by court&#39;s orders which had ruled against the opposition&#39;s move to remove Maduro. The collection drive was planned for next week.&nbsp;

Venezuela is experiencing economic crisis, food shortage and triple-digit inflation. It&#39;s in this turbulent context that many&nbsp;people, including&nbsp;the opposition, are calling for change.&nbsp;

The opposition slammed the electoral commission&#39;s decision as undemocratic, a move to evade the vote against the socialist president. The center-right opposition has been trying to remove Maduro from power through a series of petitions, which now appear impossible, AFP reported.

Opposition lawmaker Jorge Mill&aacute;n tweeted, &quot;We have a government of thieves using power to maintain itself, but in the street the people are demanding a recall, and no one will stop us!&quot; Reuters reported.&nbsp;

The opposition MUD (Mesa de la Unidad Democr&aacute;tica) coalition alleges that Maduro and his supporters control the courts and election officials in order to stay in power.&nbsp;

The opposition needs to acquire signatures from 20&nbsp;per cent of the people in each one of Venezuela&#39;s 24 states, which polls show they are poised to get if only the court allowed them to begin this signature collecting process, before a&nbsp;referendum could&nbsp;take place.

The opposition is trying to call for a referendum this year, because under the country&#39;s constitutional laws, should Maduro lose the plebiscite next year, his vice president would be allowed to take over. The opposition wouldn&#39;t have another shot at power until 2019.

Their impatience is understandable;&nbsp;socialists have been in power in&nbsp;Venezuela for the last 17 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

The Opposition has slammed the electoral body's decision as undemocratic, designed to evade a vote against the socialist president

Venezuela's electoral commission on Thursday suspended the signature collection process needed to initiate a referendum against President Nicolas Maduro. The electoral body said it was abiding by court's orders which had ruled against the opposition's move to remove Maduro. The collection drive was planned for next week. Venezuela is experiencing economic crisis, food shortage and triple-digit inflation. It's in this turbulent context that many people, including the opposition, are calling for change. The opposition slammed the electoral commission's decision as undemocratic, a move to evade the vote against the socialist president. The center-right opposition has been trying to remove Maduro from power through a series of petitions, which now appear impossible, AFP reported. Opposition lawmaker Jorge Millán tweeted, "We have a government of thieves using power to maintain itself, but in the street the people are demanding a recall, and no one will stop us!" Reuters reported. The opposition MUD (Mesa de la Unidad Democrática) coalition alleges that Maduro and his supporters control the courts and election officials in order to stay in power. The opposition needs to acquire signatures from 20 per cent of the people in each one of Venezuela's 24 states, which polls show they are poised to get if only the court allowed them to begin this signature collecting process, before a referendum could take place. The opposition is trying to call for a referendum this year, because under the country's constitutional laws, should Maduro lose the plebiscite next year, his vice president would be allowed to take over. The opposition wouldn't have another shot at power until 2019. Their impatience is understandable; socialists have been in power in Venezuela for the last 17 years. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Venezuela: Electoral body suspends referendum campaign against Maduro

Venezuela&#39;s National Electoral Council (CNE) will announce the dates for the final stages in the referendum process today, AFP news agency reported. 
 
The Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) is pushing for the referendum to evict President Nicolas Maduro and they need four million signatures in three days to do so. 
 
The CNE had postponed the announcement which was to be held on wednesday. 
 
Meanwhile, the opposition is maintaining pressure by calling for nationwide protests. The protests have been taking place in a backdrop of Non-Aligned summit, food shortages and riots.&nbsp; 
 
The CNE was considering late October to hold the three-day petition drive. However, the opposition said it was too late and accused them of stalling the process. 
 
The center-right coalition is trying for a force vote by January 10, the deadline for new elections.&nbsp; 
 
Once the deadline passes and Maduro loses, he will simply transfer power to his hand-picked vice president to complete his remaining term. 
 
The CNE will have just one month to verify all the votes, if the opposition is able to get the required signatures, then three months to organise the referendum.&nbsp; 
 
If the petition is held in late October, the referendum will only be able to take place by March 2017 which may be too late for the country. 
 
Political analysts warn this could cause violence to erupt. 
 
According to the polling firm Datanalisis, 80 per cent of Venezuelans want a different government. Venezuelans are facing severe economic crisis with inflation set to top 700 per cent, according to IMF. 
 
(WION with inputs from AFP) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

The Democratic Unity Roundtable needs four million signatures in three days to start the process of the referendum

Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) will announce the dates for the final stages in the referendum process today, AFP news agency reported. The Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) is pushing for the referendum to evict President Nicolas Maduro and they need four million signatures in three days to do so. The CNE had postponed the announcement which was to be held on wednesday. Meanwhile, the opposition is maintaining pressure by calling for nationwide protests. The protests have been taking place in a backdrop of Non-Aligned summit, food shortages and riots. The CNE was considering late October to hold the three-day petition drive. However, the opposition said it was too late and accused them of stalling the process. The center-right coalition is trying for a force vote by January 10, the deadline for new elections. Once the deadline passes and Maduro loses, he will simply transfer power to his hand-picked vice president to complete his remaining term. The CNE will have just one month to verify all the votes, if the opposition is able to get the required signatures, then three months to organise the referendum. If the petition is held in late October, the referendum will only be able to take place by March 2017 which may be too late for the country. Political analysts warn this could cause violence to erupt. According to the polling firm Datanalisis, 80 per cent of Venezuelans want a different government. Venezuelans are facing severe economic crisis with inflation set to top 700 per cent, according to IMF. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Venezuela enters endgame of anti-Maduro referendum

On Tuesday , the&nbsp;Venezuelan opposition slammed a timeline for a potential recall vote against President Nicolas Maduro that appeared to make a vote unlikely this year, which opposition leaders said is an effort to favour the ruling Socialist Party.

&quot;There will be a recall referendum here and there will be a recall referendum this year, in 2016, because it is technically possible, because it is politically pertinent and because it is socially indispensable,&quot; said opposition leader Jesus Torrealba at a hastily-organized news conference.

The timing of the recall is critical because recalling Maduro in 2016 will trigger fresh elections. Polls suggest he would lose given discontent over product shortages and triple-digit inflation.

A recall next year, however, would lead Maduro to be replaced by his vice president, who would serve the remainder of his term through early 2019.

A petition drive to collect signatures from 20 per cent of registered voters, the next step in the recall process, would &quot;probably&quot; take place in late October, National Elections Council President Tibisay Lucena said in televised comments, adding this would depend on whether the opposition has properly requested the vote.

Lucena said the October date was just an estimate, and the precise date would not be known for several weeks.

Opposition leader Henrique Capriles, who narrowly lost the 2013 election against Maduro, said Lucena does not dare tell the electorate outright that the CNE is planning on holding the elections in 2017.

&quot;She doesn&#39;t dare tell the&nbsp;Venezuelans that there will not be a recall referendum this year. She doesn&#39;t dare. The only ones who dare are the people from the PSUV Socialist Party. She doesn&#39;t dare nor do the others. They issue a statement sometimes here or there to generate desperation but she doesn&#39;t dare face the country and tell them there will not be a recall referendum because she knows very well that to block our country&#39;s democratic path, the little democratic window that is left, would put&nbsp;Venezuela&nbsp;in a very dangerous situation, it puts the country in a more difficult situation, it puts&nbsp;Venezuela&nbsp;in a situation with greater tension-- which is what we don&#39;t want. And that is why we are fighting for a peaceful solution, an electoral, constitutional and democratic solution,&quot; he warned.

Under the time frame presented, a referendum could not take place before December at the earliest. More likely, it would take place in mid-February, the end of the 90-day period in which the council must call the vote.

During the current recall effort, the council has always taken the maximum amount of time allowed under regulation.

Opposition leaders swiftly condemned the announcement, saying the elections council was stalling the process for Maduro&#39;s benefit. The council has been accused for years of favouring the Socialist Party.

Rondon said the CNE is acting against the constitutional principles that underlie the regulations.

&quot;In light of the complex situation the country is going through, I believe it is indispensable that the electoral entity clearly respect the lapses established in the regulations. The National Electoral Council should act within the framework of the (underlying) principle of speed that controls the regulations to fulfil with he constitutional obligation that guarantees that&nbsp;Venezuelans can express their will without outside interference,&quot; he added.

Opposition leaders are calling for a nationwide march to the capital of Caracas on September 1 to demand the council set a firm date for the next signature drive.

The process could be slowed further if the council rejects significant portions of signatures as it has in the past.

Opposition leaders say that during a preliminary signature drive in July for this same recall effort, the council rejected more than half a million signatures for reasons ranging from unclear handwriting to smudged fingerprints.

Socialist Party leaders have dismissed the recall effort as fraudulent and noted that the elections council found nearly 10,000 signatures corresponding to people who were deceased. 
 
(Reuters)

Opposition claims recall vote of President Nicolas Maduro next year, instead of 2016, will favour the ruling Socialist Party

On Tuesday , the Venezuelan opposition slammed a timeline for a potential recall vote against President Nicolas Maduro that appeared to make a vote unlikely this year, which opposition leaders said is an effort to favour the ruling Socialist Party. "There will be a recall referendum here and there will be a recall referendum this year, in 2016, because it is technically possible, because it is politically pertinent and because it is socially indispensable," said opposition leader Jesus Torrealba at a hastily-organized news conference. The timing of the recall is critical because recalling Maduro in 2016 will trigger fresh elections. Polls suggest he would lose given discontent over product shortages and triple-digit inflation. A recall next year, however, would lead Maduro to be replaced by his vice president, who would serve the remainder of his term through early 2019. A petition drive to collect signatures from 20 per cent of registered voters, the next step in the recall process, would "probably" take place in late October, National Elections Council President Tibisay Lucena said in televised comments, adding this would depend on whether the opposition has properly requested the vote. Lucena said the October date was just an estimate, and the precise date would not be known for several weeks. Opposition leader Henrique Capriles, who narrowly lost the 2013 election against Maduro, said Lucena does not dare tell the electorate outright that the CNE is planning on holding the elections in 2017. "She doesn't dare tell the Venezuelans that there will not be a recall referendum this year. She doesn't dare. The only ones who dare are the people from the PSUV Socialist Party. She doesn't dare nor do the others. They issue a statement sometimes here or there to generate desperation but she doesn't dare face the country and tell them there will not be a recall referendum because she knows very well that to block our country's democratic path, the little democratic window that is left, would put Venezuela in a very dangerous situation, it puts the country in a more difficult situation, it puts Venezuela in a situation with greater tension-- which is what we don't want. And that is why we are fighting for a peaceful solution, an electoral, constitutional and democratic solution," he warned. Under the time frame presented, a referendum could not take place before December at the earliest. More likely, it would take place in mid-February, the end of the 90-day period in which the council must call the vote. During the current recall effort, the council has always taken the maximum amount of time allowed under regulation. Opposition leaders swiftly condemned the announcement, saying the elections council was stalling the process for Maduro's benefit. The council has been accused for years of favouring the Socialist Party. Rondon said the CNE is acting against the constitutional principles that underlie the regulations. "In light of the complex situation the country is going through, I believe it is indispensable that the electoral entity clearly respect the lapses established in the regulations. The National Electoral Council should act within the framework of the (underlying) principle of speed that controls the regulations to fulfil with he constitutional obligation that guarantees that Venezuelans can express their will without outside interference," he added. Opposition leaders are calling for a nationwide march to the capital of Caracas on September 1 to demand the council set a firm date for the next signature drive. The process could be slowed further if the council rejects significant portions of signatures as it has in the past. Opposition leaders say that during a preliminary signature drive in July for this same recall effort, the council rejected more than half a million signatures for reasons ranging from unclear handwriting to smudged fingerprints. Socialist Party leaders have dismissed the recall effort as fraudulent and noted that the elections council found nearly 10,000 signatures corresponding to people who were deceased. (Reuters)

Venezuela: Opposition insists recall referendum will be held in 2016