Venezuelans vote in highly charged election amid fraud concerns By Reuters
By Daisy Buitrago and Julia Symmes Cobb
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelans waited in line at polling stations to cast their ballots on Sunday in a landslide election for a century of socialist rule, with President Nicolas Maduro hopeful of victory as the opposition drew support and warned of a potential coup.
The leader of the opposition, Maria Corina Machado, has been the star of the coalition's campaign, even after a ban from public office forced her to pass the torch to candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, a 74-year-old former diplomat and quiet celebrity.
Gonzalez has received support even from some former supporters of the ruling party, but opposition groups and observers have questioned whether the vote will be fair, saying decisions by electoral authorities and the arrest of opposition workers are aimed at creating obstacles.
Maduro – whose re-election in 2018 is considered fraudulent by the United States, among others – said the country has the most transparent electoral system in the world and warned of a “bloodbath” if he were to lose.
Reuters reporters in six cities across the country reported lines outside polling stations, including some that opened late.
“I have been here since 5 in the morning to vote for change, to create a new Venezuela, to be reborn again because I am a public servant and we need change to be able to get a decent salary,” said Tibisay Aguirre. , a 57-year-old chef who was waiting in line in Maracay, in the central province of Aragua.
Polls close at 6 pm local time (2200 GMT) and results may be published on Sunday night or the following days.
Maduro's government has overseen an economic collapse, the displacement of about a third of the population, and a major breakdown in diplomatic relations, crowned by sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and others that have crippled an already struggling oil industry.
Maduro said he would ensure peace and economic growth, making Venezuela less dependent on oil revenues.
The minimum wage is equivalent to $3.50 a month, and basic food for a family of five is estimated to cost around $500. Many people receive food baskets from the government or remittances from relatives abroad.
Dozens of voters were casting their ballots at the Venezuelan palace on the Spanish island of Tenerife, while others gathered outside waving flags and cheering.
Several voters said they have been registering at that embassy for many years. Migrants around the world have reported difficulties in registering and less than 100 percent are expected to vote.
CHAVEZ'S LEGACY
Maduro voted early in the morning in Caracas and said the result announced by the National Electoral Council would be monitored and “protected” by the armed forces and police.
People attending Maduro's funeral in Caracas on Thursday spoke passionately about his late mentor – longtime socialist President Hugo Chavez – and said Maduro, in power since Chavez's death in 2013, was continuing his legacy of helping the poor.
“Nicolas Maduro built a country and continues the legacy of Commander Chavez,” said Conde Miranda, 54, who traveled from southern Ciudad Guayana to attend.
Others refer to a more challenging environment.
“Maduro has done good and bad things, the problem is the people under him,” said 30-year-old civil servant Alejandro Goldteims.
Gonzalez and Machado, who have promised sweeping reforms and said a fresh start could encourage immigrants to return, urged people to hold “vigils” at polling stations. They said they expect the military to respect the results of the votes.
Venezuela's military has long supported Maduro, 61, a former bus driver and foreign minister, and there have been no public signs that military leaders are leaving the government.
22 people have been arrested since Friday “for electoral reasons,” Gonzalo Himiob, vice president of the human rights organization Foro Penal, told X, adding that at least 15 remain in custody.
Venezuela's attorney general this week denied involvement in political persecution and said elections must be peaceful.
Public spending grew slightly during the campaign, analysts said, a change from previous campaigns when spending was good.
Maduro says he has opened 70 public works projects in the past few months but most have been repairs to existing schools, hospitals and roads, according to events broadcast on state television.
