Venezuela pro-Maduro legislature to assess early congress elections

Venezuela's pro-government legislature on Monday agreed to create a commission to evaluate holding 2020 legislative elections early. Opposition leader Juan Guaido warned on Sunday that the Constituent Assembly would decide on Monday to disband the congress he leads and move up elections after President Nicolas Maduro called for a new "offensive."

Instead, the Constituent Assembly's head, Diosdado Cabello said the commission would evaluate "in accordance with the law, the constitution and the political situation" when would be the best moment for the legislative elections. Congressional elections are held every five years and are not scheduled until December 2020.

Guaido invoked the constitution in January to assume a rival presidency, saying Maduro's 2018 re-election was fraudulent. He has been recognized by more than 50 countries, including the United States, as Venezuela's legitimate president.