Venezuela’s Last Democratic Body Falls to Maduro After Vote
- Mass abstention marked national assembly election on Sunday
- Result further weakens opposition leader Juan Guaido
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President Nicolas Maduro regained control of Venezuela’s National Assembly on Sunday, in a vote that was boycotted by the main opposition parties.
With no real opponents and widespread apathy, government-affiliated parties received 68% of votes, the electoral council announced early Monday after counting more than 80% of ballots. The almost-inevitable landslide cements Maduro’s grip on the last major institution in the country that has democratic legitimacy. The new assembly will take over on Jan. 5.