Congressional crunch time in Venezuela

By James Blears

The National Assembly is the last political bastion standing against the Administration of President Nicolas Maduro. But the Opposition insists that there`s no chance whatsoever of this election being free, fair or impartial. Accordingly, they`re holding their own separate yet simultaneous referendum.

In spite of harder, harsher and deeper biting sanctions, especially from the United States, which have added to Venezuela`s slump and the misery of its recessionary crisis, Nicolas Maduro, has survived, due to the support of the Country`s Armed Forces, who`ve remained loyal to him throughout.  Incoming US President Joe Biden, who hasn`t shied away from calling Maduro a dictator, is likely to further tighten the turn of the political, diplomatic and economic screw from Washington on Caracas, even though the support of China and Russia remains  for Venezuela remains intact.

Opposition Leader Juan Guido, has been recognized as legitimate President, by more than fifty nations, but has yet to occupy the top spot. Meanwhile, Maduro is determined to keep it in the family, hence his Wife and Son are among the congressional candidates.  The US Department of Justice is offering a fifteen million dollars reward for the arrest of Nicolas Maduro, condemning him as a narco terrorist. While the elections on Sunday already seem to be a forgone conclusion, his detention and ensuing fate, remain very much open to doubt.