Venezuela Readies for Countering Allegations of Fraud and Right-wing Assaults Prior to July Elections, Affirms Foreign Minister
Venezuela stands on the brink of its presidential elections, less than a month away. This South American nation, which has held over 30 electoral processes in the last 25 years, finds itself under the spotlight, accused by the US government, as well as mainstream media, of being anti-democratic and authoritarian. In response, the US has imposed one of the most restrictive and aggressive regimes of unilateral coercive measures against Venezuela's oil sector and financial sector for the last 10 years.
These sanctions, commonly known as "sanctions", have taken a severe toll on Venezuela, causing an 80+% fall in its GDP in 2019. Yet, despite these hardships, Venezuela has managed to show signs of growth in its GDP for several years and has seen an increase in popular support for its revolutionary movement.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto recently sat down for a discussion at the People's Forum in New York City, on the sidelines of a visit to the United Nations. During this meeting, he discussed how the Venezuelan people have been able to withstand the US-backed "hybrid war" and the role of Venezuela on the international stage.
Manolo De Los Santos, a movement leader, asked about the impact of US coercive measures on the electoral process. In response, FM Yván Gil Pinto explained that Venezuela's revolutionary democracy, rooted in the people, has enabled the nation to resist these attacks. He traced this resilience back to 1998 when Hugo Chávez called for a popular revolution to rebuild and reconstruct the nation.
The Constituent Assembly, a process of discussions at all levels of society, was one of the tools that allowed Venezuela to withstand the attacks on its constitution, civil-military unity, and economic warfare. Despite US attempts at coups and economic sabotage, Venezuela has been able to maintain its democratic renewals and election processes, all while legitimizing the process and involving the majority of the people.
Though the US has failed to change the outcome of elections through opposition campaigns, they continue to threaten violence, as evidenced by at least five attempted assassinations of President Maduro. Such threats have yet to deter voter turnout, as recent polls predict a significant defeat for the opposition. On July 28, President Maduro is poised to win the elections with a large lead, a challenge that the opposition may not be equipped to face.
Venezuela, intentionally or not, plays a unique role in today's global politics. As a champion of a different model of economic development, based on sovereignty, dignity, and mutual respect, Venezuela stands in opposition to many of the US's foreign policy objectives. Reflecting this, Venezuela's external relations have been founded on its vast oil reserves, its commitment to regional integration, and its solidarity with other oppressed nations, such as Palestine. With upcoming elections, the next phase of the revolution awaits, one that promises to further strengthen Venezuela's resolve and global influence.
- The upcoming presidential elections in Venezuela, despite ongoing sanctions and political criticism, have shown signs of growth in the GDP and increased popular support for the revolutionary movement.
- Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto recently defined Venezuela's resilience against the US-backed "hybrid war" and its role on the international stage, during a discussion at the People's Forum in New York City.
- FM Yvan Gil Pinto offered insight into how Venezuela's revolutionary democracy, rooted in the people, has enabled the nation to withstand attacks on its constitution, civil-military unity, and economic warfare.
- Despite threats of violence and attempted assassinations of President Maduro, voter turnout remains significant, hopefully indicating a decisive win for Maduro in the upcoming elections.
- As a champion of a different model of economic development, based on sovereignty, dignity, and mutual respect, Venezuela's external relations, founded on oil reserves, regional integration, and solidarity with oppressed nations like Palestine, plays a unique role in today's global politics and global news, particularly in war-and-conflicts, politics, general-news, crime-and-justice, and accidents.
