Opinion & Analysis

US Playing Politics Over Venezuelan Elections

By Lee Brown - Huffington Post, Apr 21st 2013

US secretary of state John Kerry (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

Nicolas Maduro's victory in the Venezuelan presidential election was narrower than anticipated. Nonetheless, it was clear enough. Yet the US government now seems to be playing politics with the outcome, emboldening Venezuela's opposition coalition by refusing to accept the results and trying to discredit Maduro's mandate.

Claims of Fraud in Venezuela: The Fake Evidence of Henrique Capriles

By Chris Carlson - Venezuelanalysis.com, Apr 20th 2013

Henrique Capriles holds up a vote tally at a press conference last Monday (Getty Images)

Opposition candidate Henrique Capriles has refused to acknowledge the results of the election, claiming the government committed fraud. In what follows, I will list all of the alleged evidence of fraud cited by Capriles, and explain why every single example is either demonstrably false, or extremely implausible.

CNE Head Tibisay Lucena's Speech: Venezuela's Voting System

By Tibisay Lucena, Apr 19th 2013

(RNV)

Yesterday’s event constitutes a solid test, of the democratic kind that Venezuela has committed to as the model of social coexistence. It is possible to express manifestly divergent political positions, by means of public consultation, through the vote, without the need for violence to impose itself as a way of resolving conflict.

Venezuela at the Crossroads

By Inside Story Americas - Al Jazeera, Apr 19th 2013

(Al Jazeera)

As post-election tensions continue to escalate in Venezuela, Inside Story Americas asks where this political crisis heading.

Maduro’s Venezuela Remains an Inconvenient Example of Democracy

By Kevin Edmonds - NACLA, Apr 18th 2013

(Reuters)

While it is understandable that the United States is not pleased with the outcome of the election in Venezuela given their economic interests, it does not give them the right to undermine the political process of a sovereign country.

The Winner of Venezuela’s Election to Succeed Hugo Chávez Is Hugo Chávez

By Greg Grandin - The Nation, Apr 17th 2013

Nicolas Maduro waves to supporters at a campaign rally, April 6, 2013 (agencies).

On April 14, Venezuelans went to the polls and elected Hugo Chávez’s former foreign minister and vice-president, Nicolás Maduro, president. It was a close race, closer than many thought it would be. The man he beat was Henrique Capriles Radonski, Chávez’s unsuccessful challenger in last October’s presidential election.

Report from the Mercosur Electoral Accompaniment Program Delegation

By Mercosur, Apr 17th 2013

The National Electoral Council invited a Delegation of MERCOSUR to participate in the International Electoral Accompaniment Program for the 2013 Presidential Elections in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Understanding the Venezuelan Presidential Election Outcome

By Tamara Pearson - Venezuelanalysis.com, Apr 15th 2013

"The most simple of us, we will win", activists painted above this barrio entrance in Merida (Tamara Pearson/ Venezuel

Why was the presidential election result so close, and why did some government supporters switch to supporting Capriles? As the opposition causes violence around the country, calling "fraud", what was it that worked with Capriles' campaign, and that didn't with Maduro's?

Maduro Wins Narrowly on Chávez Record; Close Election is a Wake-up Call for the Government

By Mark Weisbrot – The Guardian, Apr 15th 2013

Nicolas Maduro making his victory speech (MARCOS COLINA/P. MIRAFLORES/P. PRESIDENCIAL)

After a short but bitterly fought, insult-laden campaign, Chávista standard-bearer Nicolás Maduro defeated challenger Henrique Capriles, thus assuring continuity in Venezuela after the death of the former president, Hugo Chávez, last month. But the election was much closer than the polls predicted: a margin of just 1.6%, or about 275,000 votes.

'Number one US target': Oliver Stone calls media coverage of Venezuela 'shameful'

By RT, Apr 14th 2013

Supporters of Venezuelan acting President and presidential candidate Nicolas Maduro cheer during his closing campaign rally in C

Venezuela is the top target for US media, not to mention the State Department, legendary director Oliver Stone said at a special screening of his film on Hugo Chavez. Sunday's vote is a choice between two very different futures for Venezuela, he said.

What Will Venezuelans Be Thinking At the Ballot on April 14th?

By Nicmer Evans - Aporrea, Apr 13th 2013

Venezuelan political analyst Nicmer Evans (Edwin Arias/ Noticias24)

On April 14^th we will once again determine the destiny of our homeland. However this election is very distinct, as we must do more than choose a president.

Under My Presidency, Chavez's Revolution will Continue

By Nicolas Maduro - The Guardian, Apr 13th 2013

Supporters cheer Nicolás Maduro as he brings his election campaign to a close at a rally in Caracas. (Santi Donaire/ Santi Dona

A month ago Venezuela lost a historic leader who spearheaded the transformation of his country, and spurred a wave of change throughout Latin America. In Sunday's election Venezuelans will choose whether to pursue the revolution initiated under Hugo Chávez – or return to the past.

Venezuelan Election: Who will Win the Trust of the People?

By Jody McIntyre - New Internationalist, Apr 13th 2013

Nicolás Maduro (left) and Henrique Capriles (Fabio Rodrigues Pozzebom/ABr and Wilfredor)

Things are heating up in the centre of Caracas. The heat is sweltering and Venezuela’s presidential elections are fast approaching on 14 April. It is hard to find a quiet moment in between the seemingly endless ‘red points’ which hand out posters and information in support of Nicolás Maduro’s election campaign.

A Valuable Venezuelan Revolutionary Experience

By Ángel Guerra Cabrera - Rebelion, Apr 13th 2013

El barrio 23 de enero is a solid bulwark of the Bolivarian Revolution. Originally named December 2 to evoke the date when the dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez came to power, its humble neighbors decided in 1958 to rename it with another date; his overthrow.

Opposition Runs Tired Campaign

By Correo del Orinoco International, Apr 12th 2013

(Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters)

In the context of another presidential election set for this Sunday, members of the Venezuelan opposition have again used confusing campaign tactics in their bid to retake the government.