Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López. Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos.
The minister of Defense of Venezuela, Major General Vladimir Padrino López, announced through a statement that the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) absolutely and categorically abides by the ruling issued by the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice that validated the result of the July 28 presidential elections announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE) and declared President Nicolás Maduro as the winner of said elections.
The statement also expressed condemnation for the violent acts carried out by “extreme right-wing fascist groups that tried to carry out a coup d’état, for which they resorted to violence and confrontation amongst Venezuelans, in addition to terrorism, vandalism and cyber-attacks, which were duly controlled by the efforts of the civic-military-police union.”
The statement also repudiated the “disastrous death toll” resulting from the violence, and reaffirmed the loyalty of the Venezuelan armed forces to President Nicolás Maduro.
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Unofficial translation of the statement is provided below:
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Official Statement of the Ministry of Popular Power for Defense
The Bolivarian National Armed Force, always adhering to the Constitution and laws of the Republic, absolutely and categorically abides by the ruling issued by the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice which declares the electoral contentions appeal regarding the presidential elections of July 28 of this year to be admissible, validating the results previously issued by the National Electoral Council.
Once again, the Venezuelan State, through its legitimate institutions, guarantees the respect for the political will of the people and the preservation of peace and stability of the nation. Extreme right-wing fascist groups tried to alter this peace and stability through an attempted coup d’état, for which they resorted to violence and confrontation among Venezuelans, in addition to terrorism, vandalism and cyber attacks, which were duly controlled by the efforts of the civic-military-police union, but which unfortunately left a disastrous trail of several dead and wounded as well as considerable material damages.
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Today we can also reaffirm that Venezuela is not only strengthened in its participatory and protagonist democracy but also in its sovereignty and independence amid insolent imperialist interference.
We ratify absolute loyalty to citizen Nicolás Maduro Moros, Constitutional President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, our Commander-in-Chief, reelected by the People’s Power, legitimately proclaimed by the Electoral Power and now ratified by the highest Court of Justice of the country, for the next presidential term 2025-2031. We reaffirm our unwavering will to continue defending the inalienable rights of the Venezuelan people, such as life, peace, and comprehensive development.
Our greatest victory is and will remain peace!
Chávez Lives… The Homeland Continues! Independence and a Socialist Homeland!… We will live and we will overcome!
The sun of Venezuela rises in the Essequibo!
Independence or Nothing!… Always Loyal, Never Traitors!
Caracas, August 22, 2024
(Últimas Noticias) by Aura Torrealba
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/SC/DZ
