Edmundo González Urrutia, candidate of the coalition of opposition parties, expressed confidence that the Bolivarian National Armed Forces “will uphold” the results of the presidential election in Venezuela on Sunday.
“We trust that the Armed Forces will respect the decision of our people (…) expressed in these” electoral ballots, said the presidential candidate in a statement he read after voting in Caracas, shortly before noon, which he later reaffirmed in response to reporters’ questions.
González Urrutia reiterated his condemnation of recent claims by the official candidate and president, Nicolás Maduro, regarding the possibility of “a bloodbath” if the government were to lose this Sunday’s election.
“This is an electoral celebration, this is not a boxing ring,” he pointed out, welcoming statements from government spokespeople regarding the election taking place normally and without “any regrettable incidents.”
He mentioned having observed “lines of joy and hope” across the country and assured that the election marks the beginning of “the reconciliation of all Venezuelans.”
“There are millions of Venezuelans throughout our land exercising their right to decide,” he stated, expressing gratitude for “the enthusiasm” of Venezuelan migrants and the commitment of the opposition table witnesses.
“Rigorous” Defense of the Vote
Alongside his wife, Mercedes López de Urrutia, the 74-year-old diplomat assured that “the defense of the vote will be carried out rigorously” at each polling station and that the opposition parties are “calm” about this verification process.
González Urrutia guaranteed that the opposition will wait for the official results from the National Electoral Council, but warned that they have their “own methods” to verify and even disseminate them independently.
“We will wait for the results; however, we also have our own methods and mechanisms to know the progress of the electoral process. We will see if they publish them. If not, we will have the chance to do it,” he noted to journalists.
The nominee from the anti-Chavez party bloc lamented that the Venezuelan government did not allow former presidents and foreign invitees to enter the country to participate in the process, which he interpreted as “a demonstration of weakness and intolerance.”
To the Venezuelan diaspora, he promised: “we will do the impossible for you to return, and we will welcome you with open arms.”
González Urrutia called on Venezuelans to “verify any information” that reaches them during the voting process and after the polling stations close, warning that “the rumor professionals are very active.”
Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our YouTube, WhatsApp and to the newsletter. Enable notifications and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.