Venezuela's Maduro calls extension of parliament 'unconstitutional'

FILE PHOTO: Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks at the closing session of Venezuela's Constituent National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela December 18, 2020. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday said a move by the opposition-controlled National Assembly to extend its term into next year was "unconstitutional," and called on the South American country's justice system to "do its work."

The National Assembly, overseen by opposition leader Juan Guaido, has declared Dec. 6 parliamentary elections in which allies of Maduro's ruling socialists won a majority as "illegitimate", and over the weekend voted to prolong its mandate.