Struggle looms as Venezuela opposition vows to fix crisis

Caracas: Venezuela`s jubilant opposition vowed Monday to drag the oil-rich country out of its economic crisis and free political prisoners after it broke the socialist government`s 16-year grip on the legislature.

But analysts warned political struggles lie ahead for the center-right MUD coalition and its moral figurehead Lilian Tintori, if they want a break from the socialist "revolution" launched by late president Hugo Chavez.

The MUD, a broad coalition of dozens of parties, must stay united if it wants to press its advantage against Nicolas Maduro, the country`s mustachioed president and champion of "Chavismo."

Despite his fiery campaign rhetoric, Maduro promptly conceded defeat in Sunday`s legislative election and called for "coexistence" between the opposition and his PSUV party, which lost control of the National Assembly for the first time since 1999.

He also called a party congress to consider reforms. 

"It will be a debate on how we will move forward with more revolution," said the president, whose closest regional ally is Communist Cuba.