US Ambassador to UN Calls Venezuelan Election 'Step Toward Dictatorship'

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley called the Venezuelan election to the Constituent Assembly a "step toward dictatorship" adding that the United States would not recognize the results of the vote.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Sunday, Venezuela is holding election of the members of the Constituent Assembly, a new legislative body with the power to amend the constitution. The last time a National Constituent Assembly was convened in 1999.

"Maduro’s sham election is another step toward dictatorship. We won't accept an illegit govt. The Venezuelan ppl & democracy will prevail," Haley wrote on her Twitter page on Sunday.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced his decision to convene the Constituent Assembly in early May, claiming it would bring peace to the South American country hit by months of violent protests. But his opponents feared it would allow him to bypass the opposition-controlled parliament.

The election comes amid protests that erupted across Venezuela in early April and have claimed the lives of over 110 people. They followed an unsuccessful attempt of the Venezuelan Supreme Court to absorb the legislative power of the country's parliament.