China supports Venezuelan power and criticizes “external interference”

Photo: Federico Parra Agence France-Presse A total of 13 candidates, including Nicolas Maduro (center), are registered for the one-round vote in the July 28 presidential election in Venezuela.

France Media Agency in Caracas

5:19 p.m.

• Americas

China, Caracas' traditional ally, supported Venezuelan power on Friday in the organization of the July 28 presidential election, criticized by the opposition and Washington, condemning “external interference”.

“We respect the national and sovereign independence of Venezuela, we support Venezuela in organizing elections in accordance with its constitution and laws, and we oppose any external interference in internal affairs of Venezuela,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a news conference, calling on the international community to “play a positive and constructive role.”

Washington condemned on Wednesday the fact that certain opposition candidates were unable to register for the presidential election.

“The acceptance by the National Electoral Council [CNE] of only opposition candidates with whom President Nicolas Maduro and his representatives are comfortable goes against competitive and inclusive elections,” according to a press release from the State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

“They must allow free and fair elections to be held,” Mr. Miller said on Thursday, stressing that the attitude of the Venezuelan government would have “consequences”, referring to the economic sanctions temporarily lifted for six months but which must resume in April.

The international community called for support

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Friday asked for support from the international community to obtain the registration of Corina Yoris, whom she has designated to replace her.

“I call on the world's democratic leaders to join the efforts of presidents and governments to demand that [Nicolas] Maduro's regime allow the registration of Corina Yoris,” Ms. Machado said on X (formerly Twitter), then that the opposition tried in vain to register it. Many suspect the National Electoral Council (CNE) of knowingly blocking its registration.

Winner of the opposition primary but declared ineligible, Maria Corina Machado had appointed Corina Yoris, an 80-year-old political novice and academic, to replace her.

But this could not be registered, without the CNE giving an explanation, before the “provisional” candidacy of Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, a former ambassador and political scientist, was finally accepted.

Part of the international community, led by the United States, did not recognize Maduro's re-election in 2018 during a vote boycotted by the opposition. Which led to economic sanctions and severely repressed demonstrations.

In total, 13 candidates including Maduro, who is seeking a third six-year term, are registered for this one-round election. Among them, nine present themselves as opponents but are considered by the opposition to be close to power and intended to divide the vote.