If Maduro, a socialist, were to lose a recall referendum in 2016, a new presidential election would be held. Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has said that a potential recall referendum against him would be in 2017 at the earliest, pushing back against growing opposition pressure to have the vote this year. If the recall referendum’s requirements are met, it will be next year and that’s it,” Maduro said on state television on Saturday. “If the requirements aren’t met, there will be no referendum and that’s it,” he added. Related: 'We are like a bomb': food riots show Venezuela crisis has gone beyond politics“There will be no blackmailing here.

Source: The Guardian June 12, 2016 01:18 UTC