Venezuela’s electoral body halts Maduro recall process

By Maria Paz Salas

SANTIAGO, Chile

The National Electoral Council of Venezuela (CNE) decided Thursday to stop a recall process against the President Nicolas Maduro, complying with orders issued by courts in several states.

“The CNE complies by the measures ordered by the courts has issued instructions to postpone the recollection process until further judicial instruction”, the council said on its website.

The states of Apure, Aragua, Bolivar and Valencia issued a precautionary measure because of criminal complaints filled by the government against the recollection of signatures in April, according to the CNE.

The government has said it uncovered fake signatures in the effort to college names needed for a recall.

The electoral authority suspended the next recollection of signatures of 20 percent, or about 4 million voters) scheduled for next week.

The opposition is running out of time to oust Maduro and denounced the suspension of the campaign.

“We alert the diplomatic corps in our country today that the government is pushing to a very dangerous scenario,” said opposition leader Henrique Capriles.

If the revoke vote takes place before Jan. 10, and Maduro loses, Venezuelans would go to the polls to elect a new president.

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

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

Venezuela continues to grapple with an economic and political crisis as citizens complain of a lack of basic supplies and medicine. The situation has fueled calls for a recall of Maduro.

The opposition cites mismanagement and corruption for the country’s woes while Maduro has blamed the U.S. and its regional allies for the crisis.