[Al Jazeera] Venezuela's opposition has ruled out discussions with President Nicloas Maduro on his plan for an elected assembly to draw up a new constitution, vowing instead to continue protests for early elections.Opposition leader Henrique Capriles formally announced on Sunday that the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) would boycott a meeting with Maduro at the presidential palace on Monday.
"We cannot take part in a fraudulent process," Capriles said, appearing at a news conference with other MUD leaders.
"We have a constitution, and the government cannot repeal it by act of force."
The opposition maintains that Maduro, whose leadership is rejected by seven out of every 10 Venezuelans, according to polls, is trying to avoid a general election - the main demand of the opposition protests since April 1.
Some analysts, however, said they fear the opposition is leaving the way open for Maduro to change the constitution at will, possibly cementing his grip on power.