Venezuela’s National Assembly postpones trial against Pres. Maduro

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Venezuela's National Assembly postpones trial against Pres. Maduro

Venezuela’s opposition-led National Assembly is postponing its trial against President Nicolas Maduro.

They are also scrapping a march on the presidential palace. The actions come because they want to give Vatican-meditated talks more time to yield results.

CCTV America’s Stephen Gibbs reports.

 

Some signs that the country may be stepping back from the brink with several developments here over the last 24 hours.

The National Assembly, which is the power base of the opposition there, was scheduled to hold a trial against the president Tuesday. The opposition position is that following a series of controversial moves including abruptly ending a planned recall referendum – the president should be charged with dereliction of duty. This was going to be a symbolic trial as there was no expectation that Maduro would attend- but there were concerns that such a move would completely derail the talks that are ongoing now. The trial has been called off for now.

Meanwhile the opposition has also called off what was seen as the real threat to government in the coming days, and that is a march directed at the presidential palace.

The opposition has repeatedly proved in the last months that it is able to mass big numbers on the streets there of people unhappy with the direction the government is taking the country which is in the midst of a very steep recession. There was real concern of violence and possible bloodshed if the march got close to the presidential seat of power. That risk has been called off for now.

One challenge for the government and you could said an opportunity for the opposition is president Maduro’s popularity which according to some polls is hovering around 20 percent, which does mean he is vulnerable to any referendum to replace him.

Meanwhile we are all waiting to see what if any concessions the government might offer in the coming days – soon we will know whether this a breakthrough for Venezuela’s long-polarized politics, or just a brief respite.