Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López seemed to tone down the government's rhetoric ahead of Sunday's elections, contrasting with a warning from President Nicolás Maduro that there would be a "bloodbath" if he didn't get reelected.
"Those who win can get on with their government plan, those who lose can go and take a break," said the official. He then sent a more ambiguous message, saying the armed forces will wait for the official decision issued by the electoral council, which is controlled by the government and banned the opposition's main leader, María Corina Machado, from running.
