Venezuela urged to hold elections soon

— The United States and group of 13 nations across the Americas on Thursday called on Venezuela’s government to hold elections and immediately free political prisoners, setting up a potential diplomatic showdown with President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist administration.

The statement comes as the head of the Organization of American States is pushing to expel Maduro’s government from the Washington-based group for breaking the country’s democratic order.

The 14 nations, including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and Argentina, said they see expulsion as a last resort and instead urged dialogue to resolve Venezuela’s entrenched economic and political problems.