CARACAS.- In an election day crucial for the future of Venezuela, the dictator Nicolas Maduro promised to recognize the results issued by the National Electoral Council (CNE)However, his visible annoyance at the possibility of an opposition victory highlighted the uncertainty and distrust surrounding his true commitment to democracy.
Maduro, 61, known for his authoritarian control, called on citizens to participate in the elections and calmly await the official results: “I call on all Venezuelans, it is time to go out and vote and wait in peace and tranquility for the official results that will emanate from the only one who can give official results. In no country are official results given by assumptions or surveys, they are simply given by those in charge of organizing the electoral process,” he declared after casting his vote.
Tensions rose when a journalist questioned whether Maduro would accept a possible defeat by the opposition. Visibly upset, Maduro responded: “I think you didn’t hear me. I am Nicolás Maduro Moros, president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and I recognize the electoral referee. I was co-writer of this constitution and I will defend it as always, with my life. And what the electoral referee says will be recognized and not only recognized, defended by the perfect Civic-Military-Police Union and by our people.”
Maduro also took the opportunity to present himself as a victim of the international community, comparing himself to the biblical character David facing Goliath: “I am the only candidate persecuted internationally by the powers of the world, by Goliath. But we are not used to whining, we are used to creative action.”
The dictator is seeking a third six-year term as the country is barely emerging from an acute economic and humanitarian crisis that has shrunk the Gross Domestic Product by 80% in 10 years and forced more than seven million people to flee.
In an attempt to justify his regime, Maduro mentioned supposed economic and social achievements, although these contrast with the reality of a country mired in a deep humanitarian crisis: “We have managed to emerge from the storm and today have the best economic indices in many decades in Venezuela and the best economic growth indices on the continent. Economic dialogue is a priority, as well as social dialogue for the recovery of the social welfare state and overcoming the wounds, product of the 930 criminal sanctions against the economy and the country.”
Finally, the dictator called on the international community to respect the sovereign decision of the Venezuelan people, while continuing to ignore the allegations of fraud and repression: “Let Venezuela decide without anyone interfering in our decision, let us decide in peace in an autonomous manner and tomorrow will be nice.”
Some 21 million people out of a population of 30 million are eligible to vote, but experts estimate that only about 17 million people who are in Venezuela and have not migrated will be able to vote. Voting is not compulsory.
Source: EDITORIAL / AGENCIES