WASHINGTON, USA: The White House expressed concern on Thursday about the potential for violence in Venezuela’s upcoming presidential election and urged President Nicolas Maduro to ensure the vote is free of political repression and intimidation.
Venezuelans will head to the polls on Sunday, with Maduro seeking his third term as leader of the OPEC member-state. His main challenger, opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, has garnered significant support.
White House spokesperson John Kirby stated during a regular briefing in Washington that the U.S. supports peaceful elections and expects them to occur on Sunday. He emphasized that any political repression and violence would be unacceptable.
When asked about the possibility of Maduro rigging the election, Kirby acknowledged the uncertainty but emphasized that the U.S. wanted to make it clear to Maduro that they were watching.
The opposition and some independent observers have expressed doubts about the fairness of the vote, citing decisions by electoral authorities and the arrests of opposition campaign staff as deliberate obstacles. Gonzalez took over the opposition mantle from Maria Corina Machado, who won the opposition primary but was barred from holding public office.
Maduro, a Socialist whose 2018 reelection was widely dismissed by Western governments as a sham, has insisted that Venezuela has the world’s most transparent electoral system.
In April, the U.S. reimposed oil sanctions on Venezuela, accusing Maduro of not adhering to agreements made with the opposition to ensure democratic elections.
Addressing concerns about potential violence if the opposition wins, Kirby noted that the concern about potential violence was the reason it was mentioned in the opening statement. He urged both candidates to commit to a peaceful outcome, regardless of who wins.
