Venezuelan Opposition Demands Presidential Elections Following Maduro's Ouster 0 10

The party of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, "Vente Venezuela" ("Come, Venezuela"), stated in its announcement the "complete absence" of Maduro since he was seized by U.S. armed forces on January 3.

"Thus, presidential elections must be announced within 30 days from this statement," the party of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Machado said.

Maduro's regime vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, took the oath as interim president on January 5.

According to the Venezuelan constitution, "in the case of the temporary absence of the president, his duties are performed by the vice president for up to 90 days, which may be extended for another 90 days by decision of the National Assembly."

"If the temporary absence continues for more than 90 consecutive days, the National Assembly decides by majority vote whether to consider it a permanent absence," states Article 234 of the constitution, which Machado's party refers to.