The election that split Venezuela down the middle

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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claimed victory Monday in a controversial election for a new Constituent Assembly, a body empowered to rewrite the constitution, according to AFP.

Electoral officials said turnout was 41.5 percent, but the opposition said the figure was only 12 percent.

The legitimacy of the ballot was questioned by the opposition as they cried fraud and vowed to keep protesting after the votes result came out.

Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro celebrates the results of the Constituent Assembly, in Caracas, July 31, 2017. /AFP Photo

Maduro called the vote for a Constituent Assembly in May after a month of protests against his government.

The winners among the 5,500 ruling-party candidates running for 545 seats in the Constituent Assembly will be empowered to rewrite the country's constitution and have powers above the opposition-controlled congress.

Maduro promised the assembly will bring peace by way of a new constitution.

"A new era of combat will begin. We're going all out with this Constituent Assembly," he said.

Opposition parties held that the ballot was rigged to increase Maduro's powers, allowing him to dissolve the Congress, delay future elections and rewrite electoral rules.

Tensions, deaths and protests

Seven officers were injured when an explosion went off on Sunday as they rode past Caracas' Altamira Plaza, an opposition stronghold.

Clashes were also reported in Tachira state during two street protests.

Authorities said ten people - including two teenagers - were killed Sunday in a wave of violence during protests against Maduro's government.

Since protests began in April, at least 122 people have been killed and nearly 2,000 wounded.

People celebrate the results of the Constituent Assembly, in Caracas, July 31. /AFP Photo‍

Venezuelan crisis

Fueling anger against Maduro is an unprecedented economic meltdown in the country of some 30 million people, which was once a rich nation thanks to an oil boom.

During Maduro's presidency, Venezuelans have seen their purchasing power shredded by the world's highest inflation rate, largely due to plunging oil prices, widespread corruption and mismanagement.

Supporters of "Chavismo," the movement founded by Chavez, Maduro's more charismatic predecessor who enjoyed high oil prices for much of his mandate, said they wanted to halt the unrest.

"The (opposition) wants deaths and roadblocks and the government wants peace," said Olga Blanco, 50, voting for candidates to the assembly at a school in Caracas.

Reactions from the international community

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley tweeted "Maduro's sham election is another step toward dictatorship. We won't accept an illegit govt."

US President Donald Trump has promised broader economic sanctions against Venezuela after the vote.

Argentina, Colombia, Peru and Panama have said they would not recognize Sunday’s vote.

Canada and Mexico have also issued statements repudiating the election.

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