This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/27/venezuela-opposition-protests-nicolas-maduro-recall-vote
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Venezuela government stalling recall vote to keep power, opposition claims | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Venezuela’s opposition has demanded authorities move forward on a a referendum to force Nicolás Maduro from office, amid complaints that the government is digging in its heels to delay the process. | Venezuela’s opposition has demanded authorities move forward on a a referendum to force Nicolás Maduro from office, amid complaints that the government is digging in its heels to delay the process. |
| Groups of opposition members attempted to march to the headquarters of the National Electoral Council (CNE) in Caracas to demand it set a date by which they would have to collect signatures of nearly 4 million voters to trigger a presidential recall. Police and national guard barricades blocked the way, leading marchers to retreat. | Groups of opposition members attempted to march to the headquarters of the National Electoral Council (CNE) in Caracas to demand it set a date by which they would have to collect signatures of nearly 4 million voters to trigger a presidential recall. Police and national guard barricades blocked the way, leading marchers to retreat. |
| “We did not come to confront the police, just to demand a date for the 20%,” said Henrique Capriles, a leading opposition figure and former presidential candidate, referring the percentage of the electorate they would have. | “We did not come to confront the police, just to demand a date for the 20%,” said Henrique Capriles, a leading opposition figure and former presidential candidate, referring the percentage of the electorate they would have. |
| The CNE had been expected to announce on Tuesday whether referendum organizers had managed to collect enough valid signatures – 1% of the electorate – to put a process in motion to force a recall vote on Maduro. | The CNE had been expected to announce on Tuesday whether referendum organizers had managed to collect enough valid signatures – 1% of the electorate – to put a process in motion to force a recall vote on Maduro. |
| But late on Tuesday, officials said they would meet on 1 August to further discuss the issue. | But late on Tuesday, officials said they would meet on 1 August to further discuss the issue. |
| “We expect you to give us answers on Monday,” warned Capriles, addressing the head of the electoral council, Tibisay Lucerna. “If you don’t you will be responsible for what happens in this country. People don’t want violence but the patience of the people is running out.” | “We expect you to give us answers on Monday,” warned Capriles, addressing the head of the electoral council, Tibisay Lucerna. “If you don’t you will be responsible for what happens in this country. People don’t want violence but the patience of the people is running out.” |
| Once the signatures are validated, the opposition will have to launch a second drive to get 3.9 million people – 20% of registered voters – to sign the recall petition in three days to formally trigger a recall. | Once the signatures are validated, the opposition will have to launch a second drive to get 3.9 million people – 20% of registered voters – to sign the recall petition in three days to formally trigger a recall. |
| Related: Venezuela's worsening economic crisis – the Guardian briefing | Related: Venezuela's worsening economic crisis – the Guardian briefing |
| Momentum to cut short Maduro’s six-year term has been building as the oil-rich country sinks further into an economic morass, with unbridled inflation, chronic shortages of basic goods and sky-high crime rates. | Momentum to cut short Maduro’s six-year term has been building as the oil-rich country sinks further into an economic morass, with unbridled inflation, chronic shortages of basic goods and sky-high crime rates. |
| A poll by Venebarómetro found that 88% of “likely” voters in a recall would choose to oust Maduro. | A poll by Venebarómetro found that 88% of “likely” voters in a recall would choose to oust Maduro. |
| The government and ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) would like to see the recall process drag out so that a vote would not be called until after 10 January 2017. Before then, a recall would trigger new elections, opening the possibility of a new direction for the socialist-led country. | The government and ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) would like to see the recall process drag out so that a vote would not be called until after 10 January 2017. Before then, a recall would trigger new elections, opening the possibility of a new direction for the socialist-led country. |
| After that date, if the recall is successful, Maduro’s vice-president would simply take his place to complete his term. | After that date, if the recall is successful, Maduro’s vice-president would simply take his place to complete his term. |
| The government says the recall campaign is part of a rightwing and international plot to topple Maduro, who won the presidency in 2013 after the death of Hugo Chávez, the charismatic leader who set Venezuela on a path to “21st-century socialism”. | The government says the recall campaign is part of a rightwing and international plot to topple Maduro, who won the presidency in 2013 after the death of Hugo Chávez, the charismatic leader who set Venezuela on a path to “21st-century socialism”. |
| On Tuesday, leaders of the PSUV filed a formal request to electoral authorities to suspend the MUD coalition for alleged fraud, arguing that thousands of names on the recall petition belonged to dead people. | On Tuesday, leaders of the PSUV filed a formal request to electoral authorities to suspend the MUD coalition for alleged fraud, arguing that thousands of names on the recall petition belonged to dead people. |
| “They are committing grave fraud and corruption,” Jorge Rodríguez, a socialist party leader said on Tuesday, adding that electoral officials had identified signatures of nearly 11,000 dead people and 3,000 minors on the petition submitted by the opposition in May. | “They are committing grave fraud and corruption,” Jorge Rodríguez, a socialist party leader said on Tuesday, adding that electoral officials had identified signatures of nearly 11,000 dead people and 3,000 minors on the petition submitted by the opposition in May. |