Legislators Present New Evidence of Irregularities in Venezuela’s National Assembly Elections
During a press conference this morning, socialist legislator Hector Rodriguez presented a series of videos and audio recordings as evidence in an ongoing Supreme Court case that has cast doubt on the validity of the Dec 6th election results.
Santa Elena, January 12th, 2016. (venezuelanalysis.com)- During a press conference this morning, socialist legislator Hector Rodriguez presented a series of videos and audio recordings as evidence in an ongoing Supreme Court case that has cast doubt on the validity of the Dec 6th election results.
In late December the Venezuelan Supreme Court launched an inquiry in the southwestern Amazonas state, accusing regional opposition leaders of buying votes and otherwise interfering with the electoral process.
Rodriguez presented an audio recording in which the director of a polling station, Humberto Yusino, discusses bribes with the opposition governor of Amazonas state, Liborio Guarulla, and insinuates the possibility of tampering with the votes of senior citizens needing assistance.
The elected deputy and national coordinator for the United Socialist Party (PSUV) also showed two videos in which voters admit to receiving money from coordinators of the opposition party coalition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD).
A previous video released by authorities showed an undercover agent talking with opposition state functionary Victoria Franchi, who spoke plainly of buying votes with liquor and cash.
This morning Rodriguez claimed Franchi is currently in Colombia under the protection of a paramilitary group.
In light of the ongoing investigation, the four deputies representing Amazonas were temporarily suspended – including a legislator elected on a government allied Great Patriotic Pole (GPP) ticket.
Last week Henry Ramos Allup, the long time rightwing figure confirmed as president of the new National Assembly on Jan 5th, ignored the ruling and swore in the three suspended opposition legislators, provoking the Court to nullify all actions taken by the Assembly henceforth.
“With their actions, with their irresponsible attitude, [the opposition] have begun to delegitimize themselves rapidly,” Rodriguez said this morning.
“We are analyzing other evidence, other videos, to divulge this great trick that the opposition has played on the country and the world,” he added.
The three legislators in questions will make the difference between a three-fifths majority and a two-thirds super majority to be held by the opposition for the 2016-2021 term.