Maduro casts vote in 'free, sovereign' legislative, local elections
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The Venezuelan president and First Combatant Cilia Flores cast their votes in Caracas as Venezuelans participated in the 2025 regional and legislative elections.
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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, center, gestures to supporters during a closing campaign rally for the regional election, on May 25, in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (AP)
President Nicolas Maduro and First Combatant Cilia Flores voted at the Simón Rodríguez Ecological School in Caracas this Sunday, as millions of Venezuelans participated in the regional and legislative elections in what has been hailed as a "historic" event.
The voting day unfolded smoothly, demonstrating the process' organization and transparency, while President Maduro affirmed that Venezuela "is the country with the most free and sovereign elections in the last 100 years," rejecting disinformation spread by opposition groups and foreign-aligned media.
Maduro commended indigenous communities for overcoming heavy rains to cast their votes, highlighting their determination as a powerful demonstration of the Venezuelan people's commitment to democracy, describing this perseverance as setting a worldwide standard for dignity and steadfastness.
Elections signify victory over sabotage attempts
The Venezuelan president condemned efforts by extremist right-wing factions to sabotage the electoral process while praising security personnel for ensuring stability, stating that Venezuela had successfully overcome the violent schemes orchestrated by destabilizing forces and, once again, thwarted the aggressive actions of fascist groups.
In his closing remarks, Maduro renewed his offer to work cooperatively with all newly elected governors across the political spectrum, stating, "To everyone elected, regardless of their party, I offer my respect and recognition. I extend my hand to work together for Venezuela."
Venezuela arrests opposition figure over terror plot
This announcement closely follows the arrest of opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa, accused of leading a terror plot to destabilize the country and interrupt the elections.
On May 23, Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced that confiscated materials from Guanipa contained specific strategies and operational blueprints aimed at left-wing political organizations. Cabello characterized the detention as a significant step in neutralizing what authorities have identified as an extensive terrorist infrastructure allegedly active within the country's borders.
Security forces seized multiple dangerous materials, including electronic triggering mechanisms, military-grade plastic explosives, communication devices, and equipment for constructing improvised explosive devices.
The interior minister also revealed that Venezuelan authorities had detained multiple foreign nationals, including Pakistanis traveling with falsified IDs, as well as Albanian and Bulgarian citizens caught in different security operations.
Additionally, he reported the capture of a Serbian narcotics trafficker linked to transnational organized crime, who had crossed from Colombia with plans to orchestrate violent operations in Venezuela.
