Maduro says elections will strengthen political dialogue in Venezuela

Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro voted in regional elections on Sunday. Maduro said the election would result in better political dialogue and democratic governance. He described the voting as a "victory for Venezuela".

The contest was being observed by more than 130 international monitors. It is the first time in four years that the main opposition parties are participating in an election. That decision came amid now-suspended negotiations between the ruling party and its adversaries. More than 21 million Venezuelans are eligible to vote in over 3,000 contests, including for 23 governors and 335 mayoral positions.

The international observers have been deployed across Venezuela and they are expected to release a preliminary report early next week.