Venezuela election: Lima group rejects early election

Foreign ministers from Latin America and Canada had gathered in Peru to discuss the crisis in Venezuela, but the announcement of snap elections, from which most opposition has been banned, was a surprise.

A coalition of more than a dozen Latin American countries has rejected Venezuela‘s call for early elections – saying it contradicts democratic principles.

The pro-government Constituent Assembly in Caracas is calling for polls by the end of April. President Nicolas Maduro says he’s willing to seek another term in office.

Al Jazeera’s Lucia Newman reports from Santiago.