We’re Witnessing a Media-Backed Coup in Venezuela: Defense Minister Padrino
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, July 30, 2024. Photo: FANB.
July 30, 2024 Hour: 12:11 pm
There is an international structure investing millions of dollars to discredit the 2024 presidential elections, he pointed out
On Tuesday, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino warned about the destabilization attempts being carried out by transnational far-right forces to disregard the results of the July 28 elections, in which President Nicolas Maduro was re-elected with 51 percent of the votes.
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“The National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB) vehemently reject the violent actions promoted by the far right on Monday in various regions of the country,” he said and recalled some acts perpetrated by the so-called Small Commands (“Comanditos”).
Under the influence of far-right politicians, these urban violence structures carried out operations such as attacks on public buildings, private residences, National Electoral Council offices, military and police units, and voting machines. They also desecrated national symbols like the statue of the Indian Coromoto and the sculptures of former President Hugo Chavez.
“These expressions of hatred are part of a preconceived plan by the political groups that were defeated. They are also part of an attempt at a media coup, which is supported by social networks and backed by the U.S. imperialism and its external and internal allies,” Padrino explained.
“Undoubtedly, we are witnessing fascism in its maximum expression. It is an international structure investing hundreds of millions of dollars to discredit the extraordinary demonstration of civic-mindedness shown by the Venezuelan people in the elections, which were attended by over 900 international observers and representatives of the parties that registered candidates,” he added.
“In recent years, the operations of urban violence called ‘Guarimbas’ only caused the death of innocents and significant material damage. The pseudo-leaders and criminal organizations, who urge the population to follow a dark path even though they are not right, hide cowardly while employing armed criminals and mercenaries trained abroad to carry out their macabre plans,” Padrino stressed.
“Many of them have already been fully identified, captured, and prosecuted,” the Defense minister announced and confirmed that far-right activists caused the death of First Sergeant Jose Torrents and injured 23 military personnel and 25 police officers.
“The FANB reiterates its unwavering commitment to peace. However, through a perfect civic-military-police union, we will act forcefully to preserve internal order throughout the national territory, always respecting the Constitution, the laws, and human rights,” he stated.
“We reaffirm our absolute loyalty and unconditional support to Nicolas Maduro, the Constitutional President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and our Commander in Chief, who has been legitimately re-elected by the peoplke and proclaimed by electoral authorities for the presidential term 2025–2031,” Padrino said.
Autor: teleSUR/ JF
Fuente: VTV - RT
