Dirty laundry is washed at home, the saying goes. But the opposition candidates did not mind resolving their differences with blows in the presence of the head of the European Union (EU) mission.
The incident was reported by Telesur journalist Madelein GarcĂa, who was in BolĂvar state covering a meeting of the EU representatives with political sectors, and was able to record the moment in which the MUD candidate RaĂşl Yusef and his team physically assaulted another opposition candidate, AmĂ©rico De Grazia.
https://twitter.com/madeleintlSUR/status/1461069767813611531
In the video, one can see how the glasses of AmĂ©rico De Grazia fly off his face and leap through the air, following a powerful slap dealt by Yusef. A member of Yusef’s team subsequently argued that they did it because De Grazia had called them thieves and corrupt.
Isabel Santos, head of the European Union delegation, described the event as a “minor” incident, and typical of electoral events given the polarization of the country.
https://twitter.com/madeleintlSUR/status/1461077934844882945
For his part, Américo De Grazia, who received the attacks from Yusef and his team, described the event as an act of desperation by his opponent and assured that he will not fall into provocations.
“They are the hazards of the trade in this region, where violence has been cultivated,” De Grazia told Telesur. “I think it is an act of desperation.”
https://twitter.com/madeleintlSUR/status/1461077011997282304
Featured image: Moment captured by Telesur when opposition candidate for Bolivar state Raul Yusef slapped opposition candidate Américo de Grazia in the face. Screenshot from Telesur footage.
(Ăšltimas Noticias) by Odry Farnetano
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/SL
