Venezuela military stands behind controversial vote

Venezuela's military reaffirmed its loyalty to President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday by saying its forces would protect a controversial vote he has called for next week to elect a body to rewrite the constitution.The declaration, read out by Maduro's defense minister, General Vladimir Padrino Lopez, marked another official rejection of a threat by President Donald Trump to impose economic sanctions on Venezuela if the vote proceeds.Padrino Lopez said Venezuela's armed forces, which he controls a