Venezuelan pro-Government deputies arrive in a caravan carrying portraits of the liberator Simon Bolivar (L) and the late president Hugo Chavez (R) to the National Assembly building to swear in an extraordinary ceremony, in Caracas
CARACAS, Jan 6 (NNN-Xinhua) — Pro-government Deputy Jorge Rodriguez was reelected president of Venezuela’s National Assembly (NA), garnering the most votes in Congress, where the ruling party-led coalition, the Great Patriotic Pole, holds a majority.
Diosdado Cabello, leader of the coalition’s congressional bloc, nominated Rodriguez and highlighted his “work, dedication, and patience” during his 2021-2022 mandate.
His reelection and the inauguration of the new assembly “is a reaffirmation” of the country’s desire “to live in peace,” said Cabello.
The opposition Democratic Alliance, led by Deputy Luis Augusto Romero, obtained a minority of votes.
After being reelected, Rodriguez was sworn in by a commission comprising representatives and leaders of various social segments, including farmers, indigenous groups and unions.
As congressional leader, Rodriguez pledged to “continue defending our homeland’s right to freedom, sovereignty and self-determination.”
Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government condemned what it called the latest “attempted intervention” in its internal affairs by the United States.
The complaint came after Washington announced it still recognizes former opposition deputy Juan Guaido as “interim president” of the South American nation.
Venezuela’s Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement saying the U.S. government stance is “in clear violation of international law, the Constitution and the democratic order established in the country by the sovereign will of the Venezuelan people.”
The ministry added: “It is regrettable that the new government of the United States continues to lack the courage to try to maintain a diplomatic relationship of respectful dialogue with the Constitutional Government of Venezuela.”
In January 2019, then opposition deputy Guaido proclaimed himself “interim president” of the South American country and led an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the government of President Nicolas Maduro. — NNN-XINHUA
