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Venezuela Opposition Leaders Say December Parliamentary Election Rigged to
Help Maduro

VOA News

   Ashowdown that could determine if Venezuelan PresidentNicolasMaduro
   will solidifyhis grip on power is set for early December. The
   opposition is already rejecting the December 6 poll as a sham, which
   favors Maduro's ruling Socialist Party.

   Opposition leaders sayMaduroismaneuvering toend rival opposition
   politician Juan Guaido'sleadership of the legislative body.

   Guaidois consideredVenezuela'sleaderbyseveral countries,including the
   United States,followingMaduro'sdisputed 2018 re-election.Guaidohas also
   led unsuccessful efforts supported by theUnited Statesto
   removeMaudrofromoffice.

   During a televised address Wednesday,Maduro seemed to reference Guaido,
   without mentioning his name. He said,"Venezuelaneeds anew National
   Assembly, legit and constitutional.Maduro then expressed confidence in
   the outcome of the upcoming vote, saying, he isalready imagining,
   January 5, 2021, Federal Legislative Palace,the lawmakerselected by
   thepeople arrive and a new National Assembly is born."

   Maduro also urged voters toturn out in large numbers, and he said
   election officials assured him they will takemeasures to ensurea
   safevoting process amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

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