In a recent address, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro issued a stark warning of potential civil unrest if he loses the upcoming presidential elections. Maduro emphasized the risks of instability and conflict, highlighting the deep political divisions within the country. As tensions rise ahead of the elections, the international community watches closely, concerned about the implications for Venezuela's future. This statement has sparked widespread debate and reaction, both domestically and globally, as citizens and leaders ponder the potential outcomes of the election and the prospects for peace and democracy in Venezuela.
Keywords: Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela presidential elections, civil war warning, political instability, election tensions, international reaction, democracy in Venezuela
Keywords: Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela presidential elections, civil war warning, political instability, election tensions, international reaction, democracy in Venezuela
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00:00Heightened security for a high-stakes election.
00:03Morra!
00:04Venezuela's military, deployed as Nicolás Maduro,
00:08seeks a third consecutive term in office.
00:11But questions remain about whether the two candidates
00:14vying for the presidency are competing on an even playing field.
00:19If you don't want Venezuela to fall into bloodshed
00:24in a fratricidal civil war because of the fascists,
00:28then let's guarantee the biggest electoral success
00:31in the electoral history of our people.
00:33The president, no stranger to allegations of fraud,
00:37widely thought to have stolen the last two elections.
00:41Nearly 300 people have been detained in the lead-up to this vote
00:45on charges of terrorism or conspiracy.
00:48But Venezuela's attorney general insists the elections will be peaceful.
00:59Local polls show strong support for opposition candidate
01:02Edmundo González Urrutia.
01:05¡Venezuela, venezuela!
01:07But the retired diplomat described as a bird-loving grandfather
01:11was his party's third pick for the race.
01:14The first pick, and hugely popular opposition leader,
01:17was barred from running.
01:28That would mean the biggest migratory wave in history.
01:31Almost 8 million people have already fled
01:34to escape poverty and violence.
01:37In theory, they would be able to vote overseas,
01:39but again, the government, through different measures,
01:43prevented them from properly enrolling for voting,
01:47so they are not going to be able to vote.
01:59The country's GDP has shrunk by about three-quarters
02:04in the last decade.
02:05Rampant inflation also punishing many on the streets of Caracas.
02:28The US loosened oil and gas sanctions
02:30on condition President Maduro held fair elections.
02:34But they were reimposed in April after he jailed government critics.
02:39If he were to cling to power,
02:41the fact that the sanctions are there in place
02:44are a big factor or a major tool
02:49for the US and for other countries in the West
02:53to press for democracy.
02:54It will be six months until the winner takes office
02:58following Sunday's election.
02:59But if there is to be a transition of power,
03:02many fear Maduro will not go quietly.
03:06Hannah Quorn, SBS World News.