CARACAS: Venezuela's opposition presented reams of signatures to election authorities Monday calling for a referendum to remove President Nicolas Maduro, who they say is to blame for a crushing economic crisis.
Venezuelans fed up with food shortages, soaring inflation and now a paralyzing electricity crunch have flocked to sign a petition for a recall referendum, according to the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD).
It said it had presented 1.85 million signatures -- more than nine times the number needed to launch the referendum process -- to the National Electoral Board.
MUD executive secretary Jesus Torrealba said 80 boxes packed with referendum petitions had been delivered to the board.
"This is just the beginning of a road that will end in a recall referendum and the election of a unity government," he wrote on Twitter.
Maduro has vowed to see off attempts to drive him from office.
"We are not afraid of them," said Maduro's most powerful ally, lawmaker Diosdado Cabello on Monday.
"We are going to check the signatures one by one."
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