By Alejandra Garcia on November 24, 2021
photo: DPA
Venezuela was once again awash in red Sunday with a resounding victory for Nicolás Maduro who was ratified as president of the Bolivarian Republic by its people during the election day in which Chavismo obtained 20 out of the 23 state governorships where voting took place plus the mayor’s office of the capital district.
The National Electoral Council (CNE) reflected that the Unified Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), with its Great Patriotic Pole, consolidated its preference by the majority of Venezuelans. This alliance is dominated by the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) but of the many other parties involved 8 of them have members in the National Assembly. This coalition despite difference has been held together since 2012 after being formed by Hugo Chavez is significant and is one more example of how ludicrous the US charge of Venezuela being undemocratic.
According to Pedro Calzadilla, president of the CNE, the number of those who voted exceeded 8,151,000 Venezuelans; 42 percent of the more than 21 million people qualified to vote in this election, which renewed a total of 3,082 public offices.
“The democratic spirit of the people prevailed during a day that passed peacefully, without any significant disruptions that could detract from the strength of the electoral process,” Calzadilla assured.
The United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) prevailed in all the territory, except in the states of Zulia and Cojedes, which were won by the opposition Democratic Unity Table (MUD), and Nueva Esparta, where the Neighborhood Force triumphed.
The results are not a surprise. They ratify the leadership of the PSUV and president Maduro in the Venezuelan political spectrum, despite the efforts of the region’s right-wing, which with Washington’s support is trying to undermine and overthrow the Bolivarian government.
After Election Day, President Nicolás Maduro called on the world to “respect the results” and extended his hand “to a political dialogue and national reunification.”
As soon as the results came out, countries such as the United States and Colombia rushed to claim without a piece of evidence that the Latin American country was a victim of electoral fraud.
“We will not listen to those who throw blaspheme at our country. This is a great victory of the Venezuelan people, and nothing will spoil our celebration,” Maduro said.
Addressing the trio of opponents who triumphed in Zulia, Cojedes, and Nueva Esparta, Maduro urged them to work together to unite Venezuela.
Simultaneously on Sunday in Chile another election took place but with less than clear results. Preliminary official data anticipates a second round for the presidency between the ultra-conservative candidate José Antonio Kast and the leftist Gabriel Boric.
Located at the opposite polls of the political landscape, Kast and Boric will break the tie on December 19. Until then, the country will be split in two, waiting to elect outgoing President Sebastián Piñera’s replacement in the Palacio de la Moneda.
These results are not encouraging. After the country experienced months of social protests against the neoliberal policies of the Piñera administration, it could fall back into the vicious circle of the far-right-wing with a victory by Kast who has been compared to the dictator Pinochet.
With almost 100 percent of the votes counted, Kast has received 28 percent of the votes, compared to 25.5 percent of his rival.
According to local media, this will be a duel between two opposed political models. On one side, there is the one that claims “security” and “peace” for the country and rejects the social protests that shook the country between 2019 and 2020. On the other side, there is the faction that demands a radical change of course and more social rights.
Gabriel Boric, candidate of the leftist alliance Apruebo Dignidad, represents the agenda of the young people who starred in the 2019 social outbreak. A triumph in December would make the 35-years-old candidate the youngest president ever to set foot in La Moneda.
“Let’s avoid arrogance to convince those who do not come a left perspective and convince them that we are the best way to lead them to a fairer country. To win in this second round, we have to be humble and receptive,” Boris cautioned.
Source: Resumen Latinoamericano