Cuba congratulated Venezuela on the election before the results come out

Venezuela’s ruling party has won 20 of the 23 state governments in regional elections, the first four years in a row in which the main opposition parties have won, according to official results. . The participation was low at 41.8%.

But one thing that made an impression was that Cuba congratulated Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a close ally, before the results were announced. The United States said the election was not free and fair.

“Fearing the voice and vote of the Venezuelans, the regime blatantly dragged the process to determine the outcome of this election long before the vote,” said US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. “Maduro is stealing from the Venezuelans the opportunity to shape their future,” he said.

The election was the first in almost four years not to be boycotted by Venezuela’s main opposition parties. In previous elections, these parties had told their voters not to vote on the grounds that it was not a “fair fight”. to recognize him as the legitimate leader of Venezuela.

However, with Mr Maduro remaining in the presidential palace and the European Union sending election observers, the main opposition parties decided to change their strategy and go to the polls on Sunday. However, many opposition voters have questioned the move, arguing that the Socialist Party – which has been in power for the past 22 years – has exercised so tight control over electoral authorities and other institutions that free elections are not possible.

The European Union has sent an election observation mission. Preliminary results show that the opposition failed to “break” the mistrust that many Venezuelans had in the voting process.

The opposition won only in the states of Zulia, Nueva Esparta and Cojedes, while the candidate allies of the government came to power in the remaining 20, according to the first results. And while a government victory was widely expected in most states, many Venezuelans commented on a tweet from Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel congratulating his ally, Maduro, on the “convincing victory” before the Venezuelan authorities announced the first Results.

Analysts said the apathy also contributed to low turnout with many voters exhausted by Venezuela’s deep economic crisis. Three out of four Venezuelans live in extreme poverty, according to a national survey. Government-critical media reported that some voters had been intimidated by members of violent pro-government gangs, but the National Electoral Council said there were only “small and isolated problems”.

bbc

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