Vote Amid Crisis in Venezuela
Vote Amid Crisis in Venezuela
Nicolas Maduro Vote Amid Crisis in Venezuela
Nicolas Madura has made a national vote to elect a Constituent Assembly to redraft the courts constitution. There will be 364 member of the assembly chosen by local polls. 181 members will be elected by members of seven social sectors including pensioner, indigenous groups, business people, peasants, and students. The voter turn out will be very low considering the opposition has vowed to boycott the vote on July 30. Maduro’s approval rating is nearly 20%.
Maduro vowed last month to hold a popular vote at the end of the process to approve or reject the new constitution, but neither Maduro nor the Venezuelan Electoral Council have specified how long this processes will take. They also have yet to decide what will happen with the existing legislative power, currently controlled by opposition forces, during the process.
Why Did Maduro Call Vote Amid Crisis in Venezuela
Nonstop protests have been on the streets of Venezuela since the governments attempt in late March to strip Congress of its right to legislate. On May 1st the beleaguered president announced his decision to call for a new constitution saying it was the “only road to restore peace” in the country.
The Democratic Unity Roundtable rejected the move from the start, but critics extends far beyond the political opposition. 8 out of 10 Venezuelans oppose a new constitution and would prefer general elections.
Now What?
MUD called a 2 day protest for Wednesday and Thursday. Mass protests called on the “taking of Caracas” on Friday. During the weekend Madura described his opponents as. “terrorists” and warned that he and his government were “ready for any scenario” .
Maduro may back down in the face of domestic and international pressure, but if he goes ahead with his plan there is a chance that Chavismo will enter a new phase. Most recently, the
Trump administration has threatened sanctions is Mduro goes ahead with the constituent assembly. The US is now reportedly considering an oil embargo. Venezuela relies on oil exports for 95% of its income. Revenue from those exports are used to import vital food and medicines. So such sanctions would put a chokehold on the government, it would also further exacerbate the already critical humanitarian situation for Venezuela.
