Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello. Photo: Con el Mazo Dando.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello warns of far-right plans to attack health centers, embassies, and police stations ahead of the May 25 elections. The government vows to counter violence with votes.
This Friday, May 16, during his radio program “Sin Truco Ni Maña” (Without Tricks or Deception), Venezuela’s Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, issued a stark warning against the country’s far-right opposition, led by figures like María Corina Machado and Iván Simonovis. Cabello accused these groups of plotting explosive attacks targeting health centers, police stations, embassies, and gas stations across Venezuela.
The minister emphasized that such actions threaten the national consensus for peace, a value he described as critical for citizens amid preparations for regional and parliamentary elections scheduled for May 25.
Cabello asserted that authorities remain committed to public safety and will neutralize any attempts at violence. “We will defeat them with votes and more votes,” he declared, underscoring the government’s reliance on democratic means to counter destabilization efforts.
Government links opposition to arms trafficking, past unrest
Cabello, a key figure in Venezuela’s ruling party, reiterated that “the people want to live in peace,” framing stability as a universal demand. His remarks align with repeated government alerts over alleged opposition-backed destabilization campaigns, particularly during electoral periods.
In October 2023, Cabello linked Simonovis to arms trafficking and accused Machado of coordinating operations to undermine the state, further intensifying political tensions.
Elections amid rising polarization and security concerns
The allegations reflect Venezuela’s deeply polarized climate as elections approach, with security and political stability dominating public discourse. The government has positioned itself as a defender of peace, framing its response as necessary to counter what it calls opposition-driven violence. Critics, however, argue such claims aim to discredit dissent and consolidate power.
Cabello’s latest accusations amplify fears of pre-election turmoil, with the government urging vigilance against “foreign-backed plots.” As Venezuela navigates this charged environment, the focus remains on whether electoral processes can proceed peacefully amid escalating rhetoric and mutual distrust.
Electricity grid sabotage
On Tuesday, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro also denounced a new attack on the Simón Bolívar Hydroelectric Plant in Guri, Bolívar state, which he claimed aimed to disrupt electricity services and sabotage legislative and regional elections scheduled for May 25. According to Telesur, Maduro accused fascist groups of orchestrating the attack to destabilize the country ahead of the elections.
During a televised campaign rally, Maduro said that “they attempted to sabotage four power-generating units to plunge the country into darkness.” He further alleged that the attack was part of a broader plot to incite chaos before voters head to the polls on May 25 to elect representatives to the National Assembly, governorships, and Legislative Councils.
“This is what fascism does—it tries to mobilize violent groups to sabotage the May 25 elections. They sought to leave Venezuela without electricity. Yesterday, upon returning from my tour, they tried to greet me with this ‘little gift,’” Maduro added, linking the incident to far-right Venezuelan opposition.
(Telesur) with Orinoco Tribune content
