BTN News: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced on Sunday, during a campaign event in the western region of the country, that he has secured the support of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB) and its members as he prepares for the presidential election next Sunday, where he seeks re-election. Speaking in Barinas state, Maduro expressed confidence in his victory.
“I have the experience, I am prepared, I have this beautiful and brave people, I have the support of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces and the military, I have the support of the civic-military-police union, I am Nicolás Maduro Moros, and I will win the presidential election next Sunday, July 28,” he stated.
The Venezuelan Constitution, in Article 328, defines the Armed Forces as an “essentially professional institution, without political affiliation,” and emphasizes that in fulfilling their duties, they serve exclusively the Nation and not any individual or political faction.
Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, also urged his supporters to vote for him in the upcoming election, where he will face nine other candidates, including Edmundo González Urrutia from the main opposition coalition. Maduro aims to achieve “the greatest electoral victory in Venezuela’s history.”
During a campaign event in the southern state of Bolívar, near the Brazilian border, on Saturday, Maduro declared himself the first of “many Chavista presidents” that the Caribbean nation will have throughout the 21st century.
As part of his campaign, Maduro has visited over a hundred cities. The official campaign period began on July 4 and will conclude this Thursday. Chavismo plans to conduct a 12-hour continuous “takeover” of Caracas to mark the end of the campaign.
Meanwhile, opposition candidate González Urrutia has promised to modernize the FANB to meet “new strategic military scenarios” on both national and global levels, should he win the presidency. He emphasized that a modernized military institution would “provide guarantees of internal stability, deterrence, persuasion, respect for the rule of law, security, and defense of our independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
In summary, the presidential election in Venezuela is heating up with President Nicolás Maduro confident in his support from the military and urging citizens to back his re-election. The opposition, represented by Edmundo González Urrutia, is also gearing up for the challenge, focusing on modernizing the military to address future strategic needs.
