The US Secretary of State called on all Venezuelan candidates and political sectors. He also warned that the world will closely follow what happens with the elections.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday called for respect for the “democratic process” in Venezuela’s presidential elections.
“The Venezuelan people deserve an election that truly reflects their will,” Blinken said at a press conference in Japan, calling on “all parties to honour their commitments and respect the democratic process” and warning that “the international community will closely follow” the elections.
elections-in-venezuela.jpg
Elections in Venezuela: the warning from the United States
Just before voting in Venezuela began, Blinken told a news conference in Tokyo that the United States and the international community would be closely watching the vote.
“The United States will not prejudge the outcome. This is a choice for Venezuelans to make, but the Venezuelan people deserve an election that genuinely reflects their will, free from any manipulation,” Blinken said.
Washington eased sanctions on Venezuela’s oil industry last October in response to a deal between President Nicolas Maduro and opposition parties, but later reinstated the sanctions over actions Washington said threatened an inclusive democratic vote.
U.S. officials have said they will calibrate their sanctions policy toward Venezuela based on how the election plays out. In that regard, Blinken said Maduro had not fulfilled many of the commitments he made in that agreement, but that there was still “enormous enthusiasm” ahead of the election.
Source: Ambito
