Any Venezuela revoke call against Maduro likely in 2017

By María Paz Salas

SANTIAGO

A collection of the signatures to hold a referendum against President Nicolas Maduro will “probably” begin in late October, the National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela said Tuesday.

The opposition needs to collect 20 percent of the electorate, or about 4 million signatures, to being the process.

With the new timeline, it is very unlikely Maduro would face a revoke before the end of the year.

The El Nacional newspaper estimates the referendum could be held between next January and March.

“If all of the requirements of the standards meet, the collections of the signatures will probably take place towards the end of October,” CNE President Tibisay Lucena said at a press conference.

The Venezuelan opposition is running out of time in its desire to oust Maduro. If the revoke vote takes place before Jan. 10, and Maduro loses, Venezuelans will go to the polls to elect a new president.

A losing vote for Maduro after that date would allow him to select a vice president to lead the country, according to the Constitution.

Lucena said the board of the CNE would next month decide whether the collection of signatures would take place.

If it proceeds, the opposition must collect 3.9 million signatures in three days. If successful, the CNE would have a month to review the names.

Once validated, a referendum must be held “within 90 days”, Lucena said.

Venezuela has been wracked by political and economic turmoil with opposition lawmakers wanted Maduro’s removal and the citizens complaining of a lack of staple food and basic supplies.

Maduro has blames the countries crisis on outside interference from the U.S. and its regional allies.