Venezuela invites UN to observe parliamentary elections

By Lokman Ilhan

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro suggested Friday that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres name a commission of observers for parliamentary elections that will be held later this year.

Maduro has invited international observers from the UN, the EU and several Latin American countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Panama for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

He said Venezuela wants the international communities to witness how Venezuelans rebuild their National Assembly.

Since the beginning of 2019, Venezuela has been embroiled in political unrest as Maduro and Juan Guaido engage in a power battle, while the country's economy has been in precipitous decline following a global downturn in the price of crude oil.

Venezuela is also under severe U.S. sanctions for more than a year as Washington recognizes the country's opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate ruler instead of elected President Maduro.

*Writing by Fahri Aksut