Five regional courts on Thursday placed new roadblocks on the path of the recall referendum against Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro.
The opposition MUD coalition has accused the government of sabotaging the referendum through delays, obstacles and veiled threats.
But if the referendum is held next year, the vice-president would take over from Maduro until the next scheduled elections in 2019.
EFEThe decision opens up a dangerous and uncertain period in the already acute political and economic crisis gripping the South American nation.
According to the Constitution, a recall referendum this year would lead to early presidential elections that surveys suggest the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela would lose.
Fuente original: Crisis in Venezuela: Venezuela puts recall referendum on hold | In English | EL PAÍS
