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WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House today expressed concern about the threat of violence in Venezuela’s election on Sunday and warned President Nicolas Maduro of the need for fair elections free of political repression or intimidation.
Venezuela is set to hold a presidential election in which Maduro will seek a third term as leader of the OPEC member country. His rival, opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, has received a large amount of support.
“We support peaceful elections, and we expect and hope that the election will take place on Sunday,” White House spokesman John Kirby said at a regular briefing in Washington. “Any political repression and violence is unacceptable.”
Asked whether Maduro had the ability to manipulate the election results, Kirby said it was difficult to know how events would unfold but that the United States wanted to “make clear to Mr. Maduro that we are watching this.”
The opposition and some independent observers have questioned whether the vote is fair, saying the election authorities’ decision and the arrest of some opposition campaign workers are aimed at creating obstacles.
González inherited the opposition mantle from María Corina Machado, who enjoyed great popularity and won the opposition primary but was barred from holding public office.
Maduro, a socialist whose 2018 re-election is considered a sham by most Western governments, says Venezuela has the most transparent electoral system in the world.
In April, the United States reimposed oil sanctions, accusing Maduro of reneging on an agreement with the opposition to ensure democratic elections.
Asked whether the United States was concerned about the possibility of violence following an opposition victory, Kirby said: “If we were not concerned about that possibility, I would not have mentioned it in my opening remarks at the White House briefing.”
“Regardless of who wins, we encourage both candidates to work toward a peaceful outcome,” Kirby said.
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