The Venezuelan presidential election will be held at least eight months earlier than planned. The Constitutional Assembly approved a corresponding proposal of emphasizing of Socialist Party (PSUV), Diosdado Cabello. The election is now to be held in April at latest. According to Cabello, Socialists will set up President Nicolás Maduro for re-election. The national electoral (CNE) will determine exact date of election.

Maduro had introduced Constituent Assembly in August and thus discredited opposition-dominated parliament. In assembly, ruling Socialists have majority.

Party deputy Cabello said that early election was a response to sanctions imposed by US and EU against Venezuela. These would have a change of government to goal. "If world wants to apply sanctions, we will apply elections," he said. "Imperial powers" and or forces pursued a "systematic hatred campaign" against Venezuela.

On Monday EU had imposed entry bans and asset locks against seven Venezuelan ministers and senior officials, including against party vice Cabello. The people affected would violate human rights, oppose democratic principles or violate rule of law, reasoning was. The United States has also already imposed sanctions. Among or things, US citizens may not have business relations with Maduro.

The EU had justified decision to impose sanctions so that a solution to conflict between Government and centre-right opposition could be brought forward in a democratic way. Venezuela's left nationalist government, however, called measures a "blow to dialogue" with opposition coalition table of Democratic Unity (MUD). The opposition had withdrawn from talks held with government since beginning of December in Dominican Republic, "Cabello said. He was referring to absence of MUD representatives during fourth round of talks, which was to take place last Thursday.

"Redemption from Hunger for voices"

The opposition has been warning for months that Maduro is turning country into a dictatorship. In December, Maduro had excluded three of largest opposition parties from election. Many of opposition leaders are currently in custody, under arrest, or fleeing exile. Henrique Capriles, who only barely lost to Maduro in 2013 election, had received a 15-year ban on office last year.

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Despite large oil reserves, Venezuela has had an economic and financial crisis for many years. High inflation has ensured that many foodstuffs are scarcely yet to be paid. There are also supply bottlenecks. Many people are starving, again and again re is looting. Maduro, however, had described hunger crisis as an "invention".

The ruling Socialist Party has been trying for months to consolidate its power. Despite country's desolate situation, Maduro has a good chance of winning election. Venezuelans, who are willing to support government, receive heavily subsidized food packages. The Venezuelan writer Leonardo Padrón criticized this regulation as blackmail, as "redemption from hunger for voices".

Date Of Update: 24 January 2018, 12:02