Maduro and several presidential candidates sign document to “respect elections”

The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, who aspires to reelection on July 28, signed a document this Thursday, June 20, to “respect the results of the elections,” that other minority candidates also signed but not his main rival, Edmundo González, who called it a “unilateral imposition.”

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The head of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Elvis Amoroso, close to Chavismo, read the agreement, which includes “the absolute will to recognize the results issued by the Electoral Power” and “compete in a climate of respect, peace and democratic participation.”

Eight of the 10 candidates signed it. Maduro was the last; The other seven define themselves as opponents, although they are far from the traditional leadership that calls them “collaborators” of Maduro.

“Whatever the electoral referee says, amen”Maduro said after the signing. “Enough sabotage against our country, enough conspiracies. Venezuela wants tranquility.”

González’s name was on the document. “He did not respond to the call of the country,” Amoroso said after calling him with no response.

“I do not have any invitation to go to the CNE today,” said González, candidate of the main opposition coalition, Unitarian Platform, earlier after the disqualification of leader María Corina Machado and the veto of other names.

Another candidate, Enrique Márquez, who was rector of the CNE, did not attend the event either.

Edmundo González did not sign the agreement

González denounced in a statement that this document was “unilaterally imposed” by the CNEand highlighted that the recognition of the results was already part of the agreement signed last year between the government and the opposition in Barbados, with the mediation of Norway.

“It is an indication of the bias that characterizes this unequal campaign,” said the opponent, after adding that “revoking the international observation of the European Union and increasing the persecution against leaders and sympathizers of our campaign” violated precisely what was agreed in Barbados.

Amoroso withdrew the invitation to the EU a month ago after the bloc ratified individual sanctions against Chavismo leaders. This Friday’s document also called for the “absolute” lifting of all punitive measures against the country.

The electoral campaign officially starts on July 4, although Maduro and Machado – the soul of the opposition mobilization – have been leading rallies throughout the country for months.

The opposition denounces persecution, with 37 leaders detained so far this year, while the government accuses them of seeking to overthrow Maduro.

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