Venezuela opposition calls October demo over political crisis

CARACAS: Venezuela’s opposition Monday urged its supporters to join a mass demonstration on October 12 against government moves to avoid a recall referendum this year that could force a snap election.

It was the latest call to protest in a tense political crisis in the South American oil exporter, which has been hit by food shortages and violence.

“We call for a special day of mobilization on October 12,” said Jesus Torrealba, spokesman for the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable ( MUD), in a speech in Caracas.

“We will peacefully overrun the streets in the whole of Venezuela. The referendum will happen in 2016.”

The center-right- dominated MUD has rejected the authorities’ ruling that a recall vote on forcing President Nicolas Maduro from power cannot be held before next year. Under constitutional regulations, that will be too late to trigger new elections as the opposition demands.

If Maduro loses a recall vote after January 10 – four years into his six-year term – he would be replaced by his hand-picked vice president.

Maduro’s side said it would call its own counter-rallies in his support on October 12.

“We will take to the streets once again. We will mobilize state by state and town by town,” said Jorge Rodriguez, a leading member of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela. — AFP