Former United States President Jimmy Carter on Tuesday proposed a referendum on Hugo Chavez's presidency in August and amending the constitution, aimed at ending the political crisis in Venezuela.
Carter has been in the South American country since the weekend in an effort to mediate in the crisis between Chavez and the Venezuelan opposition.
Carter told a press conference after meeting Chavez that the president had backed his proposal for a referendum on August 19 on whether Chavez should stay in power.
Moreover, Carter said the constitution should be changed to alter the presidential mandate, according to AFP.
In addition, the former American president said he would take the proposals to a meeting of the “Group of Friends of Venezuela” in Washington on Friday that would also focus on the crisis.
"My opinion is that both sides now want to reach an agreement to end the impasse that is threatening to destroy Venezuela's economy and social structure," Carter told a news conference before flying back to the United States. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
