Gonsalves hoping for CARICOM statement on Venezuelan election

By Peter Richards

ST.  GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) – St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves Monday said he is hoping that CARICOM leaders issue a statement on the outcome of the presidential elections in Venezuela.

Gonsalves, a staunch ally of President Nicolas Maduro, said he has already issued a congratulatory message to the Venezuelan leader and was hoping that CARICOM leaders, who are meeting here for their 47th regular meeting, will do so also.

“Well, I’ve already called the Venezuelan government to congratulate them on the victory of Nicolas Maduro,” Gonsalves told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), adding “St. Vincent Grenadines is going to issue its own statement”.

Gonsalves said that the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) had issued a statement on the elections.

“Well, I expect most the CARICOM countries, because there are significant numbers of us who are in ALBA, and that statement, which I’ve just given approval to, I have no doubt would be approved.

“There may be some countries which may wish to wait and see. I don’t know but that certainly will arise sometime today, whether in this morning session or in the caucus this afternoon. But I would like to see CARICOM make a statement congratulating Maduro on his re-election to the presidency. He’s an important partner and he’s important for peace and security in our region, including peace and security on the border with Guyana.”

Guyana and Venezuela have a long-running border dispute with both countries now awaiting a ruling from the International Court of Justice on the matter.

Gonsalves told CMC that the history of elections in Venezuela would indicate that they are free and fair, but the last elections, some countries claimed that the polls did not reflect the will of the people.

But he noted that the US-based Carter Center, for instance, reported that the Venezuelan election machinery is one of the most sophisticated and transparent in the entire world.

“But, you know, politics is taking precedence in some quarters. But St. Vincent and the Grenadines, we are satisfied and from our own people on the ground, including my ambassador in Caracas, I received a report from him last night. So we congratulate Nicolas Maduro on his re-election to the presidency.

“There may be some countries which may wish to wait and see. I don’t know but that certainly will arise sometime today, whether in this morning session or in the caucus this afternoon. But I would like to see CARICOM make a statement congratulating Maduro on his re-election to the presidency. He’s an important partner and he’s important for peace and security in our region, including peace and security on the border with Guyana

According to partial results announced by the head of the National Electoral Council, Elvis Amoroso — who is a close ally of Maduro — with 80% of ballots counted, Maduro had 51% of the vote, compared to 44% for his main rival.

However, the opposition dismissed the CNE’s announcement as fraudulent and promised to challenge the result.

It said its candidate, Edmundo González, had won with 70% of the votes and insisted he was the rightful president-elect. Opposition parties had united behind  González in an attempt to unseat Maduro after 11 years in power.

Western countries have called on Venezuela to ensure that Sunday’s poll was free, fair and transparent.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed scepticism after the result was announced, saying the United States had “serious concerns that the declared outcome does not reflect the will or the votes of the Venezuelan people”.

In addition, the UK Foreign Office also expressed concern over the results and has called for the “publication of full, detailed results to ensure that the outcome reflects the votes of the Venezuelan people”.