A prominent Venezuelan opposition leader called Thursday for a referendum or constitutional reform to oust President Nicolas Maduro, hardening the anti-government camp's stance in the oil-rich country's political crisis.

Former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles said the opposition should use its legislative majority to hold a recall referendum or propose a constitutional reform to shorten Maduro's term.

"Either a solution is found here or Venezuelans must consider the way to achieve change," said Capriles, who is leader of the moderate Justice First party, one of the main forces in the opposition coalition.

"The time has come for a recall referendum or a constitutional amendment."

Voters fed up of economic hardship in the recession-stricken country punished Maduro in elections last month, handing the opposition control of the legislature for the first time in 17 years.

Opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly vowed to find a way to kick out Maduro, though it is unclear exactly how.

Maduro's allies managed to deprive the opposition for the time being of the two-thirds legislative supermajority it would need to mount a constitutional reform.

A referendum can legally be called to remove the president once he is halfway through his term, from April. Maduro's current mandate is supposed to run until 2019.

Capriles has warned of the risk of violence due to the standoff in Venezuela, where 43 people were killed during anti-government riots in 2014.

"The only outcome must be constitutional, peaceful and democratic," he said.
Source :AFP