In his first words after the government-controlled National Electoral Council of Venezuela declared him re-elected, Chavista leader Nicolás Maduro gave "thanks to God," denounced the interventionism and "fascism" that opposed him, and asked the international community to "respect" the results of the elections.
He also claimed that the electoral system "suffered massive hacking. We already know who did it and who ordered it. The case is in the hands of the prosecutor's office."
Maduro's speech was filled with veiled and open threats, although he claimed to be "a man of peace." He also described the opposition leaders as "ugly people," and reminded them of the 10 people who died during the 2015 elections, when he was elected officially for the first time, after two years in power.
Nicolás Maduro's victory speech
The 61-year-old politician, who has governed Venezuela since March 2013, declared himself the winner of this Sunday's elections, extending his tenure until 2031. He also promised "peace, stability, and justice."
Dressed in a sports jacket featuring the colors of his country's flag, Maduro declared, "Neither the blockade nor fascism could prevail in Venezuela, the land of Bolívar and Chávez. It will not happen today or ever because we were not born on the day of the cowards, the lukewarm, or the timorous. We were born the day the light of the liberator left this homeland."
In a tribute to the 70th birthday, also on Sunday, of the deceased commander and former president Hugo Chávez, Maduro exclaimed, "Long live Chávez! Chávez lives, and the homeland continues. We follow the paths that have been pointed out. What a journey we have lived. He said there would be peace before, and there was. There is peace now, and there will be peace, stability, and justice after July 28 from today onwards."
Maduro speaks to the international community
He emphasized respect for the law and justice, saying, "There is a constitution, there are institutions, and there is the National Electoral Council. Sixteen audits are conducted, but in which country is the electoral system reviewed so thoroughly to ensure its integrity?"
Referring to international interference, he added, "And so we cannot allow it. When there was an electoral debate in the United States and Donald Trump claimed the elections were stolen from him, did we intervene? It was their internal matter. As the president of the republic, I ask for respect for our constitution, our public powers, and our sovereign life."
An hour before, his regime had accused several Latin American governments and former presidents tonight of orchestrating an "intervention operation" against Venezuela's presidential elections.
"The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela denounces and alerts the world about an intervention operation against the electoral process, our right to self-determination, and the sovereignty of our Homeland by a group of governments and foreign powers." The statement specifically named Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and the Dominican Republic as part of this alleged operation.
Maduro went further and attacked the Argentinian president Javier Milei direcly, calling him a "traitor to your country."
Maduro claims that Venezuela is a democracy
Maduro highlighted the challenges his administration has faced, stating, "This is not the first time they have tried to undermine the peace of the republic. We have endured 930 criminal sanctions. Despite what we have suffered, which country dares to call for elections?
They were conducted in an exemplary manner, and I can say, I am Nicolás Maduro Moros, re-elected president, and I will defend our democracy, our laws, and our revolution."
In his speech, Maduro portrayed himself as a resilient leader, committed to upholding Venezuela's sovereignty and stability amidst external pressures and internal challenges. He positioned his re-election as a victory over foreign interference and a testament to the enduring spirit of the Venezuelan people, invoking the legacy of national heroes to rally support and affirm his authority.
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