CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuela's jubilant opposition vowed Monday to drag the oil-rich country out of its economic crisis and free political prisoners after winning control of congress from socialist President Nicolás Maduro.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A clear victory for Venezuela's opposition in weekend elections showed that voters had an "overwhelming desire for a change," U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday, calling for dialogue in the oil-rich, cash-poor country.
The victory by the opposition coalition set the stage for further confrontation and could energize a movement aiming to remove Maduro from power before the end of his term in 2019. The result also marked a turning point for the "revolution" launched 16 years ago by the late Hugo Chávez.
Venezuela's opposition won control of the national legislature, electoral authorities said Monday, in a blow to the oil-rich country's socialist government that has held the congress for 16 years.
Venezuelans voted Sunday in tense elections that could see the opposition seize legislative power from the socialist government and risk sparking violence in the oil-rich, cash-poor nation.
A U.S. federal judge has postponed until next month a hearing in the drug smuggling case of two nephews of Venezuela's first lady. The hearing will now take place just days before Venezuelans go to the polls.
