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The pair remained silent today as chaos in the socialist country continues

JEREMY CORBYN and Diane Abbott have remained silent today after Venezuelas socialist President claimed victory in a sham vote to scrap the current parliament.

The pair have both spoken out in support of the regime, and praised the country as a model of socialism.

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Today President Maduro hailed yesterdays vote which will allow him to scrap the current National Assembly and replace it with his own Constituent Assembly as the hand of the people.

He claimed eight million people had backed the new assembly designed to radically change the countrys constitution.

But the US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, slammed it as a sham election which would bring Venezuela another step toward dictatorship.

The countrys opposition say no ink was used to mark voters fingers and there was nothing to stop people voting twice.

The country has descended into crisis in recent months, with deadly clashes with the police killing 125 people, power and medicine shortages, and rampant inflation leaving thousands going hungry.

Once the richest country in Latin America, the now socialist administrations economy is on the verge of total collapse.

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Reuters

Mr Maduro has stuffed the current parliament and Supreme Court with his own supporters and America, Mexico, Columbia and Panama have all sanctioned a number of their leaders.

France, Germany and Canada have withdrawn their ambassadors, and the US has told all embassy staff to leave the country.

Britains ambassador John Saville was last week forced to work from home because of the clashes but tweeted that he was still enjoying the London-like weather, pointing at a grey sky.

The countrys leader took great inspiration from his late mentor and predecessor, Hugo Chavez, who Mr Corbyn has repeatedly praised since he became President in 1999.

The Labour leader said as a backbencher: We also salute Chavez, and the people of Venezuela for turning the clock of history full circle I look forward to the development of Venezuela, the efficiency of Venezuela in providing good services and decency for all the people of that country.

The best form of solidarity is learning from it there is an alternative to austerity

Its called socialism, and its called social justice.

Mr Corbyn also tweeted when he died in 2013: Thanks Hugo Chavez for showing that the poor matter and wealth can be shared. He made massive contributions to Venezuela and a very wide world.

He also has deleted posts on his website in support of the countrys regime, the Express reported.

And, speaking a number of years ago, Diane Abbott said it showed another way of operating.

She said the countrys former President was successful at reducing poverty and that the poor really identify with him.

A spokesman for Mr Corbyn told the Express last week: Jeremy condemns political violence and human rights abuses whoever carries them out.

A dialogue process is needed to secure a peaceful way forward for Venezuela.

A spokesperson for Jeremy Corbyn declined to comment.

The Sun has reached out to Diane Abbott, and the Labour Party for comment.

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Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott previously backed crisis-hit socialist Venezuela as its PM claims victory over vote ... - The Sun