Maduro says ready to submit 100% of vote records after election
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Maduro was elected to a third term on July 28 sparking riots supported by Western nations.
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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro waves after speaking to the press at the Supreme Court in Caracas on July 31, 2024. (AP)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced on Wednesday that the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) is prepared to provide 100% of its vote records after Sunday's presidential election.
Maduro was elected to a third term on July 28, sparking riots supported by Western nations.
Maduro asserted in a press briefing on Tuesday that the far-right "did everything possible to implement a violent scenario by sabotaging public services such as electricity and causing the suspension of the elections," emphasizing that "this plan was known before, during, and after July 28."
Maduro stated that "90% of those involved in violent acts are drug addicts, hired daily to carry weapons."
The Venezuelan president revealed that authorities have "identified and arrested those responsible for the violent, terrorist, and criminal attacks," noting that "80% of them have criminal records, while others recently returned to the country on flights from the United States."
"The United Socialist Party of Venezuela is ready to present 100% of the voting records that we have in our hands, and I hope that a chamber [of the supreme court] will do the same with each candidate and each party," the president told reporters.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez accused the West-backed opposition of attempting a coup d'etat, igniting nationwide violence and rioting after the re-election of President Nicolas Maduro on Monday.
Padrino declared that the country's violent state depicted “expressions of hatred and irrationality” that are part of a “preconceived plan” by US-backed political parties, emphasizing the opposition is attempting a coup with the support of “North American imperialism and its external and internal allies."
The demonstrations erupted after presidential results revealed the victory of Maduro and the defeat of runner-up Edmundo Gonzalez resulting in protesters claiming the opposition candidate was the rightful winner while denouncing alleged vote fraud. The demonstrators destroyed property, including official buildings, hundreds of electoral centers, and offices of the National Electoral Council (CNE).
”We are witnessing fascism at its maximum expression, of an international structure that is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to discredit the extraordinary demonstration of civility that the Venezuelan people showed on the last election day,” Padrino said, urging for political forces to take the "path of democracy," through dialogues and abiding by Venezuelan laws.
Attacks and riots in Venezuela
On the ongoing attacks and riots in Venezuela, Foreign Minister Ivan Gil commented on the issue, stressing that the rioters' assaults included "burning state centers, beating people for supporting Chávez, destroying buses, torching workers' vehicles, and shooting at innocent people."
This erupted following the re-election of Maduro who secured over 51% of the votes, while his opposition counterpart Gonzalez received 44%.
Gil labeled the attackers as "the most extreme enemies of democracy globally, describing them as fascists who will not be allowed to return."
On his part, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino confirmed that 23 soldiers were injured, some by firearms, in the attacks.
In a press statement, Padrino assured that "the soldiers are receiving medical care" and emphasized, "We will not allow Venezuela to revert to the turmoil of 2014, 2017, and 2019."
