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Venezuela presidential election postponed to May Venezuela presidential election postponed to May
(about 7 hours later)
The snap presidential election in Venezuela scheduled for 22 April has been pushed back by a month, the National Electoral Council (CNE) has announced.The snap presidential election in Venezuela scheduled for 22 April has been pushed back by a month, the National Electoral Council (CNE) has announced.
The CNE said the poll would now be held in the second half of May, but did not give an exact date. The CNE said the poll would now be held on 20 May.
The move came after an agreement was reached between the government and a small number of opposition parties.The move came after an agreement was reached between the government and a small number of opposition parties.
President Nicolás Maduro has registered to run for a second six-year term.President Nicolás Maduro has registered to run for a second six-year term.
'Attempt to wrong-foot opposition' Why is the timing of the vote so important?
The head of the electoral council, Tibisay Lucena, also announced that the government had agreed on "electoral guarantees" for the forthcoming elections with a number of opposition parties. CNE chief Tibisay Lucena also announced the government had agreed on "electoral guarantees" for the forthcoming elections with a number of opposition parties.
Traditionally, presidential elections are held in Venezuela in December. But in February the CNE announced they would be brought forward to 22 April. UN chief Antonio Guterres would also be invited to send an observer mission to monitor "all phases of the process".
Traditionally, presidential elections are held in Venezuela in December but in February the CNE announced they would be brought forward to 22 April.
The decision was widely interpreted by critics of the government as an attempt to steamroll the deeply divided opposition coalition and throw it into disarray.The decision was widely interpreted by critics of the government as an attempt to steamroll the deeply divided opposition coalition and throw it into disarray.
It comes amid an ever worsening economic and political crisis which has left many Venezuelans malnourished and led hundreds of thousands to flee the country. It comes amid an ever-worsening economic and political crisis which has left many Venezuelans malnourished and led hundreds of thousands to flee the country.
It also triggered international criticism, with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru all rejecting the early election and some countries warning that they would not recognise the result.It also triggered international criticism, with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru all rejecting the early election and some countries warning that they would not recognise the result.
The US has said it would consider imposing further sanctions against the government if it went ahead with the presidential vote under what it called fraudulent conditions.The US has said it would consider imposing further sanctions against the government if it went ahead with the presidential vote under what it called fraudulent conditions.
Widespread boycott Will the opposition even stand?
The main opposition Democratic Unity coalition announced it would boycott the 22 April election and refused to put up any candidates to oppose President Maduro.The main opposition Democratic Unity coalition announced it would boycott the 22 April election and refused to put up any candidates to oppose President Maduro.
In response to the latest announcement the coalition said it would be maintaining its boycott, saying the elections would still be fraudulent.
The organisation tweeted that none of its members had signed the agreement with the Electoral Council.
But one opposition politician, Henri Falcón, broke ranks and installed himself as a candidate.But one opposition politician, Henri Falcón, broke ranks and installed himself as a candidate.
It is not yet clear whether the one-month delay in the vote will tempt more opposition politicians to throw their hats into the ring. It is not yet clear whether the delay in the vote will tempt more opposition politicians to throw their hats into the ring.
The most high-profile opposition candidates, such as Henrique Capriles and Leopoldo López, are barred from running. Others have left the country for fear of arrest.The most high-profile opposition candidates, such as Henrique Capriles and Leopoldo López, are barred from running. Others have left the country for fear of arrest.
It is also not clear whether the delay will ease pressure on the Venezuelan government.It is also not clear whether the delay will ease pressure on the Venezuelan government.
An unnamed US government official quoted by news agency Reuters said that a delay "likely would not prompt the US administration to hold back on sanctions". An unnamed US government official quoted by news agency Reuters said a delay "likely would not prompt the US administration to hold back on sanctions".