Venezuela’s opposition party has claimed the majority of seats in the National Assembly in elections, the first major shift in power in the legislative branch since the late President Hugo Chavez took office in 1999. The Democratic Unity Round table (MUD) took 99 seats to just 46 for the United Social Party of Venezuela (PSUV), Tibisay Lucena, president of Consejo Nacional Electoral announced.
The victory significantly alters the political balance in this deeply divided country and augurs a power struggle between the long-marginalized opposition and the government of President Nicolás Maduro, the successor and disciple of Mr. Chávez.
Did You Know???
- Venezuela is officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
- The capital and largest city of Venezuela is Caracas (officially called Santiago de Leon de Caracas), which is home to nearly 2 million people.
- The worlds tallest waterfall, Angel Falls, is located in Venezuela.
- Venezuela has one of the largest natural gas reserves and has the 2nd largest oil reserve in the world, it is one of the worlds top ten crude oil exporters.
- A type of small guitar called the cuatro is the national instrument of Venezuela. and the national dance of Venezuela is the waltz-like dance called joropo.
- The currency of Venezuela is called the bolivar fuerte.
