Venezuela Opposition Calls Oct 12 Demo In Crisis

CARACAS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News -26th Sep,2016) : 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 snap elections.

It was the latest call to protest in a tense political crisis in the South American oil exporter, 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 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.

Polls indicate eight in 10 Venezuelans want a change in government. Oil-rich Venezuela has veered into crisis as crude prices have collapsed since mid-2014. Violence erupted in 2014 at rival pro- and anti-government demonstrations, leaving 43 people dead.