Opposition leader Henrique Capriles demands recall referendum at rally

Record ID: 102033

  • Title: Opposition leader Henrique Capriles demands recall referendum at rally
  • Date: 25th May 2016
  • Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (MAY 25, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF OPPOSITION LEADER HENRIQUE CAPRILES ARRIVING AT OPPOSITION RALLY WOMAN ADDRESSING CROWD WITH CAPRILES ON STAGE WIDE OF RALLY PEOPLE AT RALLY APPLAUDING CAPRILES ADDRESSING CROWD WOMEN CHANTING 'RECALL' (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) HENRIQUE CAPRILES, OPPOSITION LEADER, SAYING: "There is no sentence, no measure, nothing that will impede us from going to the National Electoral Counsel to demand they respect Article 72 of the Constitution (allowing for a recall referendum)." CAPRILES ADDRESSING RALLY (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) HENRIQUE CAPRILES, OPPOSITION LEADER, SAYING: "Friends, the referendum is our right and it will take place this year, in 2016." OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS APPLAUDING VARIOUS OF CAPRILES LEAVING RALLY
  • Embargoed: 9th June 2016 19:12
  • Keywords: opposition rally Henrique Capriles recall referendum
  • Location: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • City: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • Country: Venezuela
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
  • Reuters ID: LVA0014JB5POJ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Opposition leader Henrique Capriles greeted hundreds of protesters who had gathered outside Venezuela's Supreme Court in downtown Caracas on Wednesday (May 24) and assured them a recall referendum to end President Nicolas Maduro's socialist rule was possible this year.
    A new election would be held if the opposition succeeds this year in recalling Maduro, whose term ends in 2019.
    But if a successful recall referendum is held in 2017, the presidency would fall to the vice president, a post currently held by Socialist Party loyalist Aristobulo Isturiz.
    Capriles addressed the cheering crowd and said they would defend their rights as citizens of Venezuela.
    "There is no sentence, no measure, nothing that will impede us from going to the National Electoral Counsel to demand they respect Article 72 of the Constitution (allowing for a recall referendum)," Capriles said.
    "Friends, the referendum is our right and it will take place this year, in 2016," insisted Capriles.
    Opposition leaders have warned that Venezuela is a "time bomb." Spontaneous demonstrations and looting are becoming more common amid worsening food shortages, frequent power and water cuts, and inflation that is the highest in the world.
    The opposition coalition, capitalizing on popular discontent over the economy, won control of the National Assembly in December elections. But all the legislature's measures have been shot down by the Supreme Court.
    The opposition wants a recall referendum against Maduro this year to force a presidential election. But ruling Socialist Party officials say there is no time to organize a vote in 2016 and the election board is dragging its feet on paperwork.
    While Venezuelans are angry at their deepening economic crisis, many are too busy queuing up for scarce food or too fearful of violence to join marches. Others are pessimistic about the chances of a recall referendum.
    Maduro, a 53-year-old former bus driver who narrowly won election to replace the late Hugo Chavez in 2013, accuses Capriles of seeking a coup with the help of the United States.
    Earlier this month, Maduro declared a 60-day state of emergency, widening his powers to sidestep the legislature, intervene in the economy and control the streets, because of what he called U.S. and domestic plots against him.
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