Caracas, October 27 (RHC)-- In Venezuela, the Legislative Council of the State of Zulia, known as CLEZ, has declared its governor's seat vacant since the elected governor refused to take the oath of office in front of the National Constituent Assembly, the ANC.  Juan Pablo Guanipa was one of five opposition governors elected on October 15th, but was the only one that rejected taking the oath required in front of the president of the ANC. 

The CLEZ made its decision based on Article 75, Ordinal 5 of the Venezuelan Constitution, and was approved in a regional parliament session, according to Noticia al Dia.  CLEZ President Magdelis Valbuena will now assume the governorship on a temporary basis for the next 30 days, as a new election is organized. 

Twenty-two out of the 23 governors elected took the oath of office.  Alfredo Diaz, opposition governor-elect of Nueva Esparta state, in an interview with Noticiero Digital, warned that if they did not take oath before the ANC, they could lose their governorships. 

Diaz said: "If the only alternative we have left to not give up our spot is to take the oath before the ANC so that they do not arbitrarily take our space, we must do it; I ask you to join us, it is not a matter of bowing our heads, or of giving up."