Reuters: As Venezuela unrest spreads, Maduro presses on with plans to rewrite charter
Faced with mounting unrest, Venezuela's unpopular leftist President Nicolas Maduro vowed on Tuesday to push ahead in July with the formation of a "constituent assembly" to rewrite the constitution before regional elections in December.
The South American OPEC member has been racked by strife, with 55 people killed during unrest in the past two months as public anger boiled over due to an economic meltdown that has left many Venezuelans scrabbling to afford three meals a day.
In an apparent bid to show the government was seeking a democratic solution, the head of the pro-government electoral council said voting for a controversial "constituent assembly" would be held in late July.
Regional gubernatorial elections, meant to have been held last year, would take place on Dec. 10, he said.
The opposition reacted with fury, convinced that these moves were Maduro's way of clinging to power.
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WNU Editor: Here is a look at who the protesters are .... Venezuelan protests propelled mostly by dropout students who can't afford college (FOX News). More on who these protesters are .... Meet Venezuela’s “Resistance:” An Army of Heroes Willing to Sacrifice their Lives for Democracy (Panam Post).
As for President Nicolas Maduro wanting to rewrite the constitution .... talk about adding fuel to the fire.
Unrest In Venezuela -- News Updates May 24, 2017
Barricades, protests spread over Venezuela 'sham' elections -- Reuters
Angry Venezuela protesters take aim at Chavez statues, home -- AP
Venezuela regional election date set amid opposition rebuke -- AP
Venezuela Election Board Prepares for Assembly Vote in July -- US News and World Report/Reuters
Venezuela leader defies demos, launches constitution overhaul -- AFP
Venezuela's Maduro presses on with constituent assembly -- BBC
Venezuelan President Maduro unveils details of 'constituent assembly' -- DW
Nicolas Maduro launches constitution overhaul -- Al Jazeera
Venezuela president rallies backers after deadly unrest -- AFP
Venezuela prosecutor chides government over military tribunals -- Reuters
Venezuela's Setting of Electoral Calendar Fails to Dispel Anger -- Bloomberg
Cry for me, Venezuela: The country is a human rights disaster of poverty, corruption, misery and epic mismanagement -- Stephen Moore, Washington Times
Venezuela is sliding into anarchy -- Mariana Zuñiga and Nick Miroff, Washington Post
