Venezuela's Maduro rejects calls for snap election

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has dismissed calls for early elections but said he's ready for talks with the opposition.

According to Russia's RIA news agency, the leader termed the demand as "blackmail" and asserted that the elections will not happen until 2025.

This comes as opposition leader Venezuela was plunged into political turmoil last week after Juan Guaidó declared himself as the acting president, arguing that Maduro fraudulently won a second term last year.  

"I am ready to sit at the negotiation table with the opposition for us to talk for the benefit of Venezuela, for the sake of peace and its future," RIA quoted Maduro as saying.