Venezuela's opposition urged to return to election

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The leader of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), Jorge Rodriguez, said Sunday that the opposition must return to the electoral path, specifically in regional elections in October.

In an interview with the press, Rodriguez said that, on July 30, over eight million Venezuelans had elected the 545 members of the National Constituent Assembly (ANC), despite anti-governmental protests.

File photo of Jorge Rodriguez /AFP Photo

"The opposition has no other option...than to return to the democratic and electoral path," said the leader, who is one of President Nicolas Maduro's closest allies.

Rodriguez was referring to the protests led by the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) since April, which have left at least 121 dead.

"The opposition is going through a severe crisis but if they do not pay attention to what the people said on July 30, they are condemned to disappear," said Rodriguez. To his eyes, the MUD made a mistake in not participating in the ANC elections.

He also attacked a number of Latin American countries, including Mexico, Colombia, and Peru, for not recognizing the ANC, accusing them of following "orders" from the US.

US Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a joint press conference with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos (not in frame) at the presidential guest house in Cartagena, Colombia on August 13, 2017. /AFP Photo

US President Donald Trump has said earlier that military intervention could be used to solve the crisis in Venezuela. US Vice President Mike Pence defended Trump's comments and said the US would use its "full economic and diplomatic weight to help restore democracy in Venezuela."

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency