MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) – "Irresponsibly and without excuse the Vice-Chancellors of the CNE suspended the meeting at 2:55 pm [18:55 GMT on Thursday]. Violating its own rules," Juan Guaido, a deputy for Venezuela’s opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) coalition, wrote on Twitter.
Venezuela’s opposition has gathered 1.85 million signatures in favor of a recall referendum, arguing that Maduro is responsible for the economic crisis in the country.
Venezuela has been in political turmoil since the election of a new opposition-controlled parliament in January. In mid-March, MUD approved the first reading of a draft law on holding a recall referendum to oust Maduro. Public support for the president has also dropped to record lows.
Venezuela has been facing significant economic problems as falling oil prices strained its budget amid high inflation and shortages.