Former Venezuelan presidential candidate, Henrique Cariles, at a press conference said that the appointment of Nicolas Maduro as President of Venezuela was unconstitutional.

"You do not decide who the president is," he told members of the National Assembly.

"The death of President should serve as reference for the country to reflect on the future," he said in his speech a few minutes ago that was broadcast through a Venezuelan news media "Globovision."

"Do not think that nothing is happening here," he said to those who were listening to the message, including those from the international press.

Henrique Capriles also added that "the Cuban government will not rule in Venezuela," and that the Venezuelan people would defend their sovereignty.

Capriles during his speech referred to the future of Venezuela, the upcoming elections and the arbitrary manner in which Nicolas Maduro had sworn as president of the nation because the process did not correspond to what is established in the Venezuelan Constitution in Article 233:

"The President of the Republic shall become permanently unavailable to serve by reason of any of the following events: death; resignation; removal from office by decision of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice; permanent physical or mental disability certified by a medical board designated by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice with the approval of the National Assembly; abandonment of his position, duly declared by the National Assembly; and recall by popular vote. When an elected President becomes permanently unavailable to serve prior to his inauguration, a new election by universal suffrage and direct ballot shall be held within 30 consecutive days. Pending election and inauguration of the new President*, the President of the National Assembly shall take charge of the Presidency of the Republic…"

*Read here the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

*The event is still unfolding and this information will be updated as soon as new details become available.

Brenda.Colon@sandiegored.com

Omar.Martinez@sandiegored.com