VLADIMIR Putin praised his fellow tyrant Nicolás Maduro as the world holds its breath over Venezuela’s election results.
The dictatorship-stricken country is on the brink of civil war after Maduro and the opposition declared victory.
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According to official data, Maduro, 61, received 51.2% of the vote, while the opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, 74, received 44.2%.
Dramatic videos showed Venezuelans distraught and crying after the result announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE).
However, the opposition in Venezuela also declared victory, claiming that Gonzalez, their presidential candidate, received 70% of the votes in their own count.
The opposition accused Maduro of manipulating the vote and claims that he controls the electoral process through cronies.
They also alleged that people were forced out of polling stations while riot police built a fortified human barrier at the entrance.
The opposition was retaliated by the Marxist Maduro, who claims that the “fraud” was committed by the “extreme right” opposition.
Putin has since congratulated Nicolás Maduro on his “re-election” as president of Venezuela, the Kremlin said on its Telegram channel on Monday.
The Russian despot was quoted as saying: “Russian-Venezuelan relations are one of strategic partnership.
“I am confident that your activities as head of state will continue to contribute to its progressive development in all directions.
Why are elections in Venezuela so important?
The elections in Venezuela could prove to be a crucial moment in the country’s history.
For the past 25 years, the South American country has been governed by a socialist party that has maintained tight control over the country.
But the United Socialist Party of Venezuela and its leader Nicolás Maduro have overseen a massive decline in living standards in the country during his 11-year rule.
Prices soared in a period of hyperinflation – with the increase expected to reach 360% in 2023.
Poverty in the country has soared and 8 million people have fled to neighboring states in recent years.
Maduro is an ally of Vladimir Putin and received help from the dictator to keep his regime afloat.
Venezuela also has the largest oil reserves in the world, even larger than Saudi Arabia, with offshore deposits estimated to contain more than 300 million barrels.
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“This meets the interests of our friendly people and is in line with the construction of a more just and democratic world order.
“I would like to confirm our readiness to continue our constructive joint work on current issues on the bilateral and international agenda.”
Putin added: “Remember that you will always be a welcome guest on Russian soil.”
Venezuela’s precarious elections have also seen dictator Maduro threaten a “bloodbath” if he loses the impasse.
In his first speech after being declared the winner of Venezuela’s presidential elections by the CNE, Maduro denounced a “massive hack” of the electoral body’s transmission system.
The dictator told journalists: “”Venezuela suffered a nighttime attack, a massive hack, we already know which country it came from – I won’t say, the footprint has already been left – in the transmission system of the National Election Council because the demons and demons don’t They wanted the official bulletin to be given today.”
Maduro added that they know “where they did it” and that it is the Public Ministry’s responsibility to “enforce justice.”
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Amid fears of civil war, the UK Foreign Office on Monday changed its travel advice for Venezuela, recommending British citizens in the South American country to “stay at home if possible” after the Presidential elections.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said in its latest travel advice: “The UK does not accept the legitimacy of the current administration established by Nicolás Maduro.
“The situation in Venezuela is currently tense and you should stay at home if possible. There is currently a high risk of demonstrations and protests related to the elections.
“Avoid political meetings, demonstrations and crowds, which can become violent and be forcibly dispersed.
“Do not cross security lines or barricades. Please monitor developments closely and stay up to date with this travel advice.”
How Maduro chose his opposition for the elections
Nicolas Maduro has been in power in Venezuela for 11 years.
His authoritarian control over the country and disregard for human rights led him to undermine free and fair elections in several ways.
One way to do this is by arresting your political opponents or banning them from running.
The most notable in this election was María Corina Machado.
Mochado, a former conservative lawmaker, has caught the attention of much of the public and draws crowds wherever she goes.
She promised to “bury socialism forever” and create a nation where “criminals and the corrupt go to prison.”
Machado promised sweeping reforms and overwhelmingly won the opposition party primaries in October last year.
But in January, a court ruled that Machado cannot participate in any elections for 15 years due to alleged financial irregularities while she was a lawmaker.
Maduro even recently stripped Machado of his bodyguard and arrested his security adviser, the latest in a series of arrests on his team.
The person Maduro allowed to run was Edmundo González Urrutia, a little-known diplomat who represented the country in Argentina and Algeria.
If Urrutia wins, Machado could very well be the power behind the throne.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
