CARACAS, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- The governor-elect of the western state of Zulia in Venezuela, Juan Pablo Guanipa, was removed from his position on Thursday for refusing to swear an oath to the National Constituent Assembly (ANC), after winning the election on Oct. 15.
Guanipa, a member of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), was one of the five MUD governors who initially refused to swear the oath, stating that the ANC was an unconstitutional legislative body.
However, after President Nicolas Maduro threatened to remove them from office, four of the five relented and took the oath earlier this week.
After Guanipa still refused, the Legislative Council of the State of Zulia (CLEZ) ruled on Thursday that the governorship was vacant, based on Article 75 of the Constitution.
With this measure, CLEZ President Magdelis Valbuena will take over the governorship of Zulia for 30 days, while a new election is called.
