(Caracas) The Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE), often considered to be at the orders of power, accused the United States on Thursday of wanting to “discredit” its July 28 presidential election.
“The electoral power […] categorically rejects the insolent and misleading questioning of the State Department,” wrote the CNE in a press release.
The goal is to “discredit one of the strongest institutions of Venezuela’s robust democracy,” he added.
The Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for its part, estimated that the United States was seeking to “not recognize” the electoral process which will see President Nicolas Maduro seek a third six-year term.
Washington condemned on Wednesday the fact that certain opposition candidates were unable to register for the presidential election.
“The CNE’s acceptance of only opposition candidates with whom Maduro and his representatives are comfortable runs counter to competitive and inclusive elections,” according to a statement from the State Department spokesperson. Matthew Miller.
“They must allow free and fair elections to be held,” Mr. Miller said on Thursday, stressing that the attitude of the Venezuelan government would have “consequences”, referring to the economic sanctions temporarily lifted for six months, but which must resume in force. april.
Winner of the opposition primary, but declared ineligible, Corina Machado had appointed to replace her a novice in politics, Corina Yoris, an 80-year-old academic.
But it could not be registered, without the CNE giving an explanation, before finally accepting the candidacy of Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, a former ambassador and political scientist.
At the same time, Manuel Rosales, an opposition heavyweight, also registered to, according to him, propose an alternative solution. But his candidacy has aroused distrust within the opposition, with some highlighting his regular contacts with power since he was governor.
Part of the international community, led by the United States, did not recognize Maduro’s re-election in 2018 during a vote boycotted by the opposition. This led to economic sanctions and severely repressed demonstrations.
In total, 13 candidates, including Maduro, are registered for this one-round election. Among them, nine present themselves as opponents, but are considered by the opposition to be close to power, and seeking to divide the opposition votes.