Venezuelan President proposes early parliamentary elections

Venezuelan President Maduro speaks to supporters on February 2 in the capital Caracas. Photo:Reuters

"You want elections? You want early elections? We're going to have parliamentary elections,"Reutersquoted Mr. Maduro speaking to supporters on February 2 in the capital Caracas.

Mr Maduro said he would consult with the Constituent Assembly about holding elections for Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly. If the Constituent Assembly supports it, the vote could take place this year.

However, opposition lawmaker Armando Armas said the proposal to hold early parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for 2020, was just another provocation by the government.

"Maduro is not president and the Constituent Assembly is not legitimate and has no value," he said.

The Constituent Assembly is Venezuela's supreme legislative body, elected since 2017, with the power to amend and draft the constitution. Meanwhile, the opposition-controlled National Assembly is not recognized by the Supreme Court.

Domestic and international pressure on Mr. Maduro has been increasing since opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself Venezuela's interim president and called for a new, fair presidential election, following a disputed vote last year.

Yesterday, Francisco Yanez, an air force commander, became the first Venezuelan general to declare his support for Guaido, saying "a transition to democracy is imminent".

Meanwhile, Venezuela continues to see protests for and against the government. Tens of thousands of Maduro loyalists took to the streets of Caracas to mark the 20th anniversary of the inauguration of late President Hugo Chavez. They waved Venezuelan flags and held banners with Chavez's portrait.

In the east of the capital, a protest organized by the opposition also attracted tens of thousands of people to listen to leader Guaido's speech.