Venezuela invites EU, int'l bodies to observe presidential election
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The invitation is a bid by Venezuela to ensure election transparency.
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National Electoral Council (CNE) President Elvis Hidrobo Amoroso, center, speaks to the press at the National Electoral Council headquarters in Venezuela on March 5, 2024. (AP)
Venezuela has asked the European Union to deploy a delegation to observe the presidential elections in the country set for July 28.
Elvis Amoroso, head of the National Electoral Council (CNE), announced on Thursday that the organization has sent invitations to the European Union and the United Nations, as well as the US-based Carter Center NGO, BRICS, and the African Union.
On March 5, the head of the national electoral council announced that Venezuela's presidential election is scheduled for July 28.
Lawmakers aligned with the government, opposition groups, and other entities proposed a range of dates last week, spanning from April to December.
The head of the electoral council, Elvis Amoroso, stated that the council "evaluated the different proposals for a schedule that contemplates all the constitutional, legal and technical requirements," as he read from an official statement.
It is worth noting that July 28 marks the birthday of the late President Hugo Chavez, who served as the mentor and predecessor to President Maduro until his passing in 2013.
In an electoral agreement forged in October, both the government and the opposition decided that the election would occur in the latter half of 2024, with international observers ensuring its transparency. Moreover, as part of the electoral agreement, each faction is set to independently choose its candidate for the upcoming presidential election.
US reimposes sanctions as Caracas upholds opposition disqualification
In January, the Supreme Court of the country affirmed a prohibition on holding public office, which was imposed by the national controller general, against opposition presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado.
Simultaneously, the United States reintroduced certain sanctions against the OPEC member nation, disrupting months of emerging reconciliation between the two. The United States has indicated that the rollback of oil sanctions implemented last year will cease in April unless Machado is permitted to participate in the election.
On February 1, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro affirmed that the judicial order disqualifying opposition presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado is final and binding.
While participating in the opening session of the judicial year 2024, Maduro ascertained that "no one is above the Venezuelan Constitution and law," adding that "extremists interpret Venezuela's honest gestures as weaknesses, but we ask them to avoid making mistakes."
"Make no mistake with Venezuela," he stressed.
Maduro also vehemently rejected the pressures imposed on Venezuela, asserting, "No to blackmail, no to threats, no to violence, no to the Northern American empire."
The National Assembly had lately approved a manifesto that rejects all forms of US meddling, especially when it jeopardizes Venezuelan security through infiltrations of national far-right oligarchies.
