After 16 years of rubber-stamp impotence, Venezuela's opposition plans to use its overwhelming electoral victory to free political prisoners -- including its most charismatic leader -- and offer President Nicolás Maduro six months to take painful economic steps or face removal.
Venezuelan opposition leaders said Tuesday they won a two-thirds majority in the legislature, which could challenge President Nicolás Maduro's grip on power in the oil-rich but crisis-hit nation.
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.
