Versión Español
EspañolThere will no recall referendum for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro this year, at least not according to the National Electoral Council (CNE), who made the announcement on Thursday.
In response, the United States has made a call on Venezuela to “listen to all voices” of the people through “serious dialogue.”
US State Department Spokesman John Kirby said through a statement that they are concerned about the decision to postpone the recall until 2017, which would see the Vice President to Maduro automatically take over, instead of initiating new elections.
The statement also addressed the “media restrictions and other actions that are used to weaken the authority of the National Assembly,” and how the government “deprives Venezuelan citizens the opportunity to shape the course of their country.”
Kirby also mentioned that the CNE delayed at the time of announcement of the dates of the next phase of the process.
“Decisions to establish a limited number of locations to collect signatures from 26 to 28 October,” he highlighted. “Also … the imposition of an irregular requirement of going state by state for those signatures,” he said.
He also addressed the executive branch, inviting Maduro and his adminstration to engage in dialogue with the opposition.
“It’s time to listen to all voices and to have Venezuela work together to find solutions.”
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The website El Colombiano said that a group of Democrat senators described the delay of the recall as “shameless” and added that it will end destroy what little democracy remains in the country.
Senators Robert Menendez, Bill Nelson, Dick Durbin and Ben Cardin said it is “another detestable example of how the country’s institutions favor their entrenched leaders. They beleague the people and the constitution of Venezuela.”
Source: El Colombiano
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