Venezuela vote likely to give Congress to Maduro’s party

Venezuela’s congressional election will almost certainly give President Nicolas Maduro control over the country’s last major independent institution.

But Sunday’s vote will do little to improve his image at home and abroad.

Maduro already has the loyalty of the courts, the military, prosecutors and other
institutions.

He’s seeking to load the National Assembly with members of his United Socialist Party of Venezuela, and critics say he’s guaranteed that by rigging the system to smother the last
remnants of democracy in Venezuela.

An opposition coalition led by U.S.-backed politician Juan Guaido is boycotting the vote.

The U.S. and European Union, have already declared the vote a sham. — The Associated Press