Maduro requests the resignation of his cabinet after defeat

The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, called on his cabinet members to present their resignation in order to begin a process of restructuring after the electoral defeat of last Sunday.

"I would like to announce that as a product of all this review and relaunching process, I've asked the Council of Ministers to be in charge of a process of restructuring, renewal, and deep relaunching of the entire national government, of all the areas of government, of all the ministries," he said.

The announcement was made during the program "Contacto con Maduro" TV show.

"I thank all the ministers in advance. They have full-time dedication, men and women, to their labour. Some for the last three years, some other for three months," he said.

Maduro added that the change seeks to give a new impetus to the Revolution and that his party will seek a dialog with the opposition forces.

On Sunday, the opposition coalition Table for the Democratic Unity won 109 seats in the National Assembly, compared to 55 for the United Socialist Party of Venezuela.