“If one day the fascists hurt mea little attack, I leave it in your hands to do what you need to do to restore justice and peace in Venezuela, to mobilize Bolivarian anger.” President Nicolás Maduro took advantage of the new anniversary of the overthrow of dictator Marcos Pérez Jiménez, on January 23, 1958, in a political meeting with the opposition. To put his personal security at the center of the debate and launch a new attack against some of his rivals, Maduro came out in support of the attorney general: Tarek William Saab after arresting 32 people, including civilians and soldiersfor participation five alleged assassination attemptseach has unknown names: the Alta Conspiracy, the Guasdualito Espionage Case, the La Gaviota Case, the Fortunato Case, and the White Bracelet.
The territorial dispute with Guyana and the “drums of war” have left the stage. In the middle was again the ghostly figure of the international conspirator. At an event held in the center of Caracas, Maduro once again drew attention to the United States, with whose government he is discussing the lifting of economic sanctions, not only against him, but also about plans against him.Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lópezand Freddy Bernal, governor of Táchira province. “Oligarchs, fascists regret their surnames for a thousand years. I love life, people, my country, but I have to prepare you because you tried to kill me five times. But nothing will stop me.” “I will continue in the streets and let it burn: I will continue to govern this country together with the Venezuelan people,” he said.
While Maduro was giving a speech to his followers, the opposition Unitary Platform demanded that the date be determined for the presidential elections that should be held this year. They supported the candidate Maria Corina Machado It still does not have the approval of judicial authorities. According to the opposition, Venezuela is experiencing a situation similar to 1958. “There is ample reason, for a greater challenge, to return to the spirit and purposes that led to this historic event, the motivation of which is repeated today.” “Replace dictatorship with democracy as a political system.”
Machado’s reaction
Machado had his own game, too. “No one can stop us from this path of choice (…) Whether Nicolás Maduro wants it or not, we will force them to compare with the Venezuelan people, so set the date for this electoral process once and for all,” he said in another part of the capital. Madurismo is in the election, according to the right-wing leader, who overwhelmingly won the opposition primary in October “profound weakness” state Since it has lost its “social base”, all that remains is to threaten, persecute and “create so-called conspiracies”.
Doubts on the horizon
Although the president has assured that the election contest will be held “rain or shine” this Tuesday, the road map of this complex process and Machado’s authorization remain unclear. As a result of negotiations with the opposition, the Palace of Miraflores undertook to create the necessary conditions for a free election with the participation of international observers.
Many political prisoners were released weeks ago. In response, Washington allowed the return to Caracas of Colombian businessman Alex Saab, whom the North American justice system had extradited from Cape Verde because it considered him a front for Maduro, among other charges. The Saab touched down in Venezuela’s capital after former Green Berets Luke Denaman and Airan Berry were released by the country’s justice system in May 2020, accused of participating in a botched shooting rampage in the then-favorite “acting president”, Juan Guaidó.
These gestures were considered a further step in the construction of an election scenario in line with the recent agreements. In this context, the prosecutor general’s aggression emerged. Tarek William Saab said “five acts of violence were attempted with their support”CIA, DEA and Colombian Army“. This Tuesday, Padrino López participated in a ceremony where soldiers who participated in these alleged actions and were considered “traitors” were demoted. The Ministry of Defense did not report how many soldiers were sanctioned.
new harassment
The attorney general’s advance is linked to a call for state structures to emerge to defend madurismo. The so-called “Bolivarian rage” was invoked “Oppose all kinds of terrorist and coup attempts”“According to the President’s own definition, this is a security and intelligence operation. “civilian, military and police”. Jorge Rodríguez, the main authority of the National Assembly (AN, Congress) and the head of the official delegation in negotiations with the opposition, justified his operation. The people will insist on being in the streets with President Maduro until our independence and sovereignty are strengthened.” According to Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, “Bolivarian anger” was mobilized so that “international forces know that he knows how to respond to the provocations of the Venezuelan people.” Machado relied on his political power He condemned the destruction of many buildings belonging to the“Maduro has become the oppressive candidate.”.
Brian Nichols, United States Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere.deeply worried For recent actions based on false accusations against the opposition and civil society in Venezuela.” The official emphasized that “Barbados’ electoral road map requires equal conditions for all political parties, as well as a culture of tolerance and political coexistence.”