The pro-government national constituent assembly this week called for an election to be held by the end of April but set no date. Maduro immediately announced that he wants to run as the ruling socialist party candidate, pressing for the vote to happen on the earliest possible opportunity. A major demand by the opposition in the talks is that the elections have international observes to ensure there is no cheating. The chorus of international condemnation doesn’t appear to be worrying Maduro, who showed up dancing on stage at a rally Friday to support his candidacy. President Danilo Medina of the Dominican Republic, which has hosted the talks, announced they would resume on Sunday.

Source: Egypt Independent January 27, 2018 05:03 UTC