Maduro, Venezuela's Leader, Pledges Tranquility and Discussion Post-July 28 Ballot

Maduro, Venezuela's Leader, Pledges Tranquility and Discussion Post-July 28 Ballot

Mexico City, Mexico, May 28, 2024 (Our Website) - Amidst the political turmoil brewing in Venezuela, incumbent President Nicolás Maduro has vowed to foster extensive dialogue with the diverse sectors of the divided nation after the presidential election on July 28.

"Venezuela transcends that stubborn right, it harbors splendid factions surfacing during these tumultuous times," Maduro proclaimed during his weekly broadcast. "There's a new Venezuela, marked with a new identity, loads of perseverance, constructiveness, innovation ... and I'll rally these forces, aiming for peace, stability, economic expansion."

Tensions within Venezuela have long been simmering, and Maduro's third term, contested by both internal and external entities, has only amplified the discord.

The electoral process in Venezuela has seen its share of chaos, with the hardline opposition frequently accusing the results of being fraudulent and inciting violent protests to overthrow the outcomes.

The remarks from the Venezuelan leader come as opposition figure María Corina Machado ramps up her campaign across the nation. In her place on the ballot, the Democratic Unitary Platform fields 74-year-old Edmundo González Urrutia, who has shied away from the campaign trail, limiting himself to media appearances.

Machado, whose political career was curbed by the Venezuelan Supreme Court's ruling in January, has temporarily filled the gap as a de facto candidate, rallying passionate supporters and exhorting them to vote for González. A gripping figure from Venezuela's elite, Machado has frequently leaned on a radical rhetoric, advocating for coup attempts and economic sanctions against the nation.

Recently, teleSUR journalist Madelein García unraveled a 2018 letter from Machado to then Argentine President Mauricio Macri and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, requesting their assistance in dethroning Maduro from power, citing the "responsibility to protect" as a legal justification for invading Venezuela.

Machado's petition to Netanyahu has stirred a social media storm, with the Israeli leader facing a barrage of criticism over his instrumental role in the ongoing genocidal rampage against the Palestinians in Gaza. International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan petitioned the court to issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, alleging he's committed crimes against humanity.

In contrast, the Maduro regime has frequently excoriated the ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza and demonstrated unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Meanwhile, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, led by Diosdado Cabello, a key Chavista, recently organized a massive rally in the heart of the 23 de Enero neighborhood in Caracas. This demonstration was spearheaded by the Panal 2021 Commune.

With Maduro aiming for a third term, he touted positive economic indicators during a recent visit to Ciudad Bolívar in eastern Venezuela, claiming the country had experienced 11 consecutive quarters of economic growth.

"In the midst of the unyielding blockade, we flourish miraculously with a broadened production portfolio," Maduro boasted.

Despite the return of U.S unilateral sanctions, Venezuela has managed to generate positive economic growth, with Maduro additionally celebrating that inflation had subsided under his control.

According to a recent poll by Ideadatos, Maduro garnered 52.1 percent support, while González Urrutia earned 21.6 percent. However, these polling numbers have historically proved unreliable in the Caribbean nation, with other firms suggesting widespread support for González over Maduro.

The July 28 presidential election will feature a total of 10 candidates, including outsiders such as Antonio Ecarri and Benjamin Rausseo, who hope to capture reluctant voters.

On Tuesday, the Venezuelan National Electoral Council revoked its invitation for the European Union to send an observation mission to the upcoming vote. The country's electoral authority objected to the EU's persisting sanction policy against the South American nation. However, they did extend an invitation to several multilateral bodies, including CELAC, the African Union, CARICOM, and the Carter Center.

Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.

1. Despite María Corina Machado's radical rhetoric advocating for coup attempts and economic sanctions, she has gathered passionate supporters in Venezuela.
2. Machado's aggressive approach has led to a contentious political career, with the Venezuelan Supreme Court curbing her political ambitions.
3. The opposition figure's hardline stance has also stirred controversy, as a teleSUR journalist, Madelein García, unraveled a 2018 letter from Machado to leaders such as Mauricio Macri and Benjamin Netanyahu, requesting their assistance in dethroning President Nicolás Maduro.
4. This revelation has sparked a social media storm, with the Israeli leader facing criticism over his role in the ongoing genocidal rampage against the Palestinians in Gaza.
5. The International Criminal Court prosecutor, Karim Khan, has even petitioned the court to issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, alleging he's committed crimes against humanity.
6. In contrast, the Maduro regime has consistently expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, condemning ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza.
7. Meanwhile, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, led by Diosdado Cabello, has organized massive rallies in support of Maduro's third term, including a demonstration in the 23 de Enero neighborhood in Caracas.
8. Despite the political instability gripping Venezuela, President Maduro has sought to present a positive image, touting positive economic indicators.
9. He recently boasted about the country's 11 consecutive quarters of economic growth while visiting Ciudad Bolívar.
10. Maduro has also claimed that inflation has subsided under his control, a controversial assertion given the ongoing unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States.
11. A recent poll by Ideadatos shows Maduro with 52.1 percent support, while Edmundo González Urrutia, the opposition candidate, trails with 21.6 percent.
12. However, the reliability of these polling numbers in Venezuela has historically been questionable.
13. The July 28 presidential election will see a total of 10 candidates vying for power.
14. Outsiders such as Antonio Ecarri and Benjamin Rausseo are among the candidates hoping to capture reluctant voters.
15. The Venezuelan National Electoral Council has revoked its invitation for the European Union to send an observation mission to the upcoming vote.
16. The electoral authority's decision comes amid continued tension between the EU and Venezuela over the latter's persisting sanction policy.
17. However, the council did extend an invitation to several multilateral bodies, including CELAC, the African Union, CARICOM, and the Carter Center.
18. Amidst the political discord and economic turbulence, gambling-related activities have also gained traction in Venezuela.
19. Casino-games like poker, casino-and-gambling trends, casino-personalities, and sports-betting have witnessed a surge in popularity.
20. In recent years, the number of casinos and lotteries in the country has increased significantly, with Las Vegas-style establishments appearing in major cities like Caracas.
21. This gambling trend has raised concerns about responsible-gambling, as well as the potential for associated problems such as crime-and-justice issues, accidents, fires, addiction, and financial troubles.
22. However, some proponents argue that these establishments could potentially bring big-wins and revenue for the government.
23. Just as the global poker community has celebrated big-wins from characters like Phil Ivey and Daniel Negreanu, Venezuela's own casino-culture has produced figures like Julio Diaz, a champion-programmer who won a major World Series of Poker tournament in 2018.
24. Diaz's victory in the WSOP proved that despite Venezuela's political instability and economic struggles, its citizens still have the passion to excel in various fields, including sports and gambling.
25. Besides poker, other sports have also gained popularity in Venezuela, with football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, and tennis among the favorites.
26. The country's sports enthusiasts follow major leagues like the Champions League, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, racing, Premier League, and European leagues with great interest.
27. In addition to general-news coverage, there are also outlets dedicated to sports analysis, weather forecasting, and coverage of specific events like auto-racing, mixed-martial-arts, and the Masters tournament.

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