Venezuelan opposition urges UN not to attend presidential election
Critics say global body’s presence would legitimise President Nicolas Maduro’s ‘rigged’ vote
Venezuela’s opposition alliance has asked the United Nations not to send observers to the “rigged” upcoming presidential election, so as not to “validate a dictatorship”.
The main opposition coalition is boycotting the 20 May vote, arguing that the National Elections Council, a supposedly independent body that oversees the country’s elections, has been favouring the ruling Socialist Party.
“What we have asked the United Nations today is not to validate the electoral fraud in May,” said legislator Delsa Solorzano, of the Broad Front centre-left coalition, at a demonstration outside UN offices in capital Caracas.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
President Nicolas Maduro is seeking re-election “amid an economic collapse that has sent a tide of migrants to neighbouring countries”, says Reuters. He has formally requestsed that the UN send observers to the vote.
UN spokesman Farhan Aziz Haq told Reuters: “Our position on all such matters is that the sending of electoral observers requires a mandate from one of the UN’s Member State bodies. If the [General Assembly] or the Security Council were to provide a mandate, we would respond accordingly. But neither has done so up until now.”
Maduro announced in December that three major opposition parties would be banned from participating in the country’s presidential election, because they had boycotted mayoral elections.
The opposition is planning to hold a protest on Saturday.
Former state governor Henri Falcon will run against Maduro despite criticism from commentators who say that Falcon’s participation will simply legitimise an election that he can’t hope to win.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The next place you'll find Starlink tech isn't a war zone — it's your airplane seat
Under the Radar Several major airlines are offering free in-flight Wi-Fi through the technology
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The fishy diplomacy causing tensions between Bangladesh and India
Under The Radar Exports of a 'sacred' fish were recently suspended during difficult relations for the two nations
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Today's political cartoons - October 6, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - Sunday scaries, in-fighting, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Drugs and death threats: Venezuelan gangs in Colorado
In the Spotlight 'Troubling signs' that Latin American gangs are penetrating into the American heartland
By The Week UK Published
-
A brief history of third parties in the US
In Depth Though none of America's third parties have won a presidential election, they have nonetheless had a large impact on the country's politics
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published