Fight is on in Venezuela

Caracas – Pro- and anti-government groups are battling fiercely for public support over a contested plan by embattled President Nicolas Maduro to have a new body elected this month to rewrite the constitution.

The opposition, energised by the release from jail of one of its emblematic leaders, Leopoldo Lopez, is leading the charge against the new assembly to be chosen in a July 30 election.

On Sunday, the opposition will hold its own symbolic public vote on whether the new constitutional assembly should be established.

“This population has decided to continue the fight for liberty,” one opposition lawmaker said.