U.S. accuses Venezuela’s president of rigging coming vote

WASHINGTON — The United States accused President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela on Friday of trying to rig a coming election for control of his country’s parliament, either by detaining opposition leaders or bribing lawmakers with up to $500,000 for each vote.

“What’s going on here is simple,” Abrams told reporters in Washington. “The regime is using a combination of threats, arrests and bribes — up to $500,000 per vote, we have been told — to stop the reelection of Juan Guaidó.” Hours after Abrams’ comments, armed Venezuelan police detained opposition lawmaker Gilber Caro in his house, despite his parliamentary immunity. It is the third time Caro has been detained by Maduro’s forces; he had spent 15 months in jail without trial.

Since taking office about six years ago, Maduro has presided over the biggest economic crisis in the nation’s history, losing more than two-thirds of the gross domestic product and about 15% of the nation’s population. He remained in power by keeping control of the country’s oil and gold mining industries and relying on support of his main benefactors, Cuba and Russia.

But if the coalition of parties that oppose Maduro loses control in the 167-seat National Assembly, Guaidó will be forced to step down as the nation’s interim leader. The loss would effectively unravel the international alliance against Maduro, which remains the opposition’s biggest weapon after a string of domestic setbacks this year.

This week, the National Assembly approved a measure to allow exiled lawmakers to vote on legislation, including on the coming internal election. But the move was immediately annulled by the Supreme Court controlled by Maduro, throwing its validity in question.

United States conducted Operation Condor, installed the Shah, supported dictators like Chiang-Kai-Shek, interfered in Canada's election, assassinated Ngo Diem, etc. What a crock

That's rich! From one of the most corrupt country in the world. Bought and paid for by the NRA.

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