Venezuelan Armed Forces reaffirm 'absolute loyalty, support' to Maduro
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The Venezuelan Defense Minister explains that there were hundreds of millions of dollars being spent to discredit the Venezuelan people's decision.
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Venezuelans protest the official results the day after a presidential election in Venezuela on July 29, 2024. (AP)
Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino warned of destabilizing efforts by transnational far-right organizations to disavow the results of the July 28 elections, in which President Nicolas Maduro was re-elected with 51% of the vote.
"The National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB) vehemently reject the violent actions promoted by the far right on Monday in various regions of the country," he stated, recalling specific acts committed by the so-called Small Commands ("Comanditos").
Padrino detailed that such actions are a "preconceived plan" by those defeated and part of an attempt at a media coup "supported by social networks and backed by US imperialism."
Calling it fascism in its "maximum expression", the Minister explained that hundreds of millions of dollars were being spent to discredit the "civic-mindedness shown by the Venezuelan people in the elections."
Absolutely disgusting, of course US fingerprints are on the coup in Venezuela 🇻🇪 #Venezolanos https://t.co/CGf82s9FeX
— Noctis Draven (@DravenNoctis) July 30, 2024
Padrino emphasized that urban violence known as "Guarimbas" has resulted in the deaths of innocent people as so-called leaders incite criminals while they remain cowardly.
He announced that many of these individuals have been fully identified, apprehended, and prosecuted, confirming that far-right activists were responsible for the death of First Sergeant Jose Torrents, as well as injuries to 23 military personnel and 25 police officers.
Padrino reiterated full loyalty and support to Nicolas Maduro in his capacity as "the Constitutional President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and our Commander in Chief, who has been legitimately re-elected by the people and proclaimed by electoral authorities for the presidential term 2025–2031."
He, moreover, repeated his "unwavering commitment to peace," citing that we will act forcefully to preserve internal order throughout the national territory, always respecting the Constitution, the laws, and human rights."
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro declared on Monday that there was an attempt "to impose in Venezuela a coup d'etat," following the opposition's rejection of his reelection for a six-year term.
“Defeating fascism and its demons is a historic feat and our people have done it! Once again, our people have done it!” President Maduro said after officially receiving the credential that will allow him to govern the country until 2031.
“Peace and unity in Venezuela are irreversible,” he emphasized, denouncing the Venezuelan far-right attempt at a "fascist coup" to ignore the results of the elections.
The Bolivarian leader also stressed that those US-backed politicians who question the 2024 elections are the same ones who led violent groups that sought to sow chaos and violence on previous occasions.
Maria Corina Machado, a well-known opposition figure in Venezuela, was charged by the country's attorney general Tarek William Saab on Monday with involvement in an attempted hack of the electoral process, which came after she rejected Maduro's win.
Machado announced on Monday that the opposition views Edmundo Gonzalez, the main rival to President Nicolas Maduro, as the winner of Sunday's presidential election.
