After the announcement of the results in the elections for the Constituent Assembly, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced that the body will take measures against the Parliament, the Attorney General, the leaders of the opposition and the independent press.
The Speaker of the Chamber Julio Borges resists, speaking of "a scenario of violent confrontation", because the opposition does not want to cede the seat of the legislative to the Assembly, whose legitimacy it does not recognize. The Attorney General, Luisa Ortega Diaz, also takes sides against the Constituent Assembly wanted by Maduro: the elections, she said, were "a slap in the face to the people and their sovereignty", which only serves to satisfy the "dictatorial ambitions" of a "small group” that wants to perpetuate “absolute power in the hands of a minority”.
Meanwhile, the death toll from Sunday's clashes rose to 14 victims, including a 15-year-old girl in San Cristobal, in the west of the country.
Meanwhile, the government continues to ensure that "calm reigns" in the country and, despite the low turnout, has defined the elections as a "historic success" for Chavismo. An appeal to the international community was launched by opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who asks not to recognize the vote and denounces the "brutal repression of the protest". Official data speak of a turnout of 41,5%, while the opposition of an abstention of 87%.
“In Venezuela there is a situation bordering on civil war and a dictatorial regime. A reality that we will not recognize: we will not recognize the constituent assembly wanted by Maduro - said Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni in an interview with Tg5 - Let's remember that there are 130 Italian-Venezuelans in very precarious conditions. We are therefore moving on the diplomatic level and on that of the defense of our compatriots".
