Candidates in Venezuela Consent to Recognize Electoral Outcomes; US-Aligned Opposition Chooses to Withhold Participation

Candidates in Venezuela Consent to Recognize Electoral Outcomes; US-Aligned Opposition Chooses to Withhold Participation

Venezuela's Electoral Pledge: A Step Towards Peace, July 28, 2024

Caracas, June 21, 2024 (our website) - Venezuelan presidential contenders took a significant stride in promoting a peaceful process by agreeing to acknowledge and respect the July 28 electoral results, signifying a commendable step towards preserving tranquility. This agreement was the culmination of negotiations held at the CNE headquarters and highlighted in a nine-point document.

In a live broadcast on June 21, President Nicolás Maduro and seven opposition candidates met with the National Electoral Council (CNE) and put their signatures on the pledge. The document underscored compliance with the Constitution, electoral laws, and the Electoral Power as the sole legitimate authority.

The third point of the agreement explicitly recognized the CNE's enduring efforts to uphold electoral guarantees and endorsed the July 28 results as the "will of the people." This was in accordance with the Barbados Agreement signed in October 2023 and the Caracas Agreement from February 2024.

The remaining points in the accord addressed guarantees for a democratic and peaceful process, rejection of violence and destabilization, upholding national sovereignty and self-determination, and demanding the lifting of US-led sanctions. A history of unilateral measures dating back to 2017 has targeted Venezuela, creating a volatile political climate.

In the last section of the agreement, candidates pledged to "reject and denounce any financing from illicit sources."

Venezuelan electoral processes have markedly struggled with post-election instability in the past. In 2013, the hardline opposition refused to recognize the electoral results after Maduro's narrow victory over Henrique Capriles. This led to violent street protests aimed at contesting the outcome.

In 2018, the US-backed opposition boycotted the presidential vote and instigated a regime-change strategy, ultimately leading to a self-proclaimed "interim government" under Juan Guaidó. The US government enforced an oil blockade and seized Venezuela's US-based oil subsidiary, CITGO.

During the meeting with CNE authorities, Maduro praised the agreement as a "step forward to preserve peace." He noted that the pledge aligned perfectly with the political rights and electoral guarantees established in the October 2023 Barbados Agreement.

"Today with this signature, we have said no to violence," commented the Venezuelan president - "We must respect the referee. If it summons you, you are obliged as a candidate to attend and listen. I urge the Venezuelan people to support this document."

Signatories of the electoral pledge included Luis Eduardo Martínez, Antonio Ecarri, Daniel Ceballos, Benjamín Rausseo, José Brito, Javier Bertucci, and Claudio Fermín. Opposition candidates hailed from various center and right-wing political parties.

The candidate for the US-backed Unity Platform, Edmundo González Urrutia, failed to attend the meeting and refused to sign the document. In response, he stated, "Nobody is going to force me to sign a document with which I do not agree." González labeled the agreement an "imposition" after becoming the unknown figurefronting the hardline opposition in March, following María Corina Machado's political ban upheld by the Venezuelan Supreme Court.

Candidate Enrique Marquez of the Centrados party was absent from the signing ceremony, claiming that the agreement was "useless" since candidates had not been consulted. CNE President Elvis Amoroso expressed dismay over the far-right political forces' refusal to sign the agreement.

The July 28, 2024 election will feature electronic voting in a one-round election won by plurality. Political parties will have representatives at every polling station, participate in several audits, and enter partial encryption keys to verify results.

The CNE has extended invitations to a wide variety of observation missions, including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the African Union, and the United Nations (UN). Moreover, over 250 individuals will be welcomed to the election process. In May, the CNE withdrew its invitation to the European Union (EU) following its rejection of foreign interference.

The Carter Center has confirmed it will dispatch a technical election observation mission, led by Jennie Lincoln - senior advisor on Latin America and the Caribbean - arriving in Caracas on June 29. However, the mission will not conduct a comprehensive assessment of the voting, counting, and tabulation processes due to its limited size and scope. Instead, it will adhere to the memorandum of understanding signed with the CNE and the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, as well as the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers.

Former US President Jimmy Carter previously lauded the Venezuelan electoral process as "the best in the world."

Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.

Background insights:- The heart of Venezuela's electoral pledge stems from the October 2023 Barbados Agreement, with subsequent developments in early 2024.- The agreement in October 2023 contained election commitments, including the right of political parties to freely choose candidates, and expanded electoral guarantees and international observation.- United States sanctions were temporarily lifted in exchange for electoral reforms per the Barbados Agreement, only to be reimposed in January/April 2024 when the Maduro government failed to meet obligations.- The Unitity Platform refused to endorse the February 2024 National Agreement due to its exclusion from negotiations. Maria Corina Machado, the opposition's primary winner, and her coalition remained excluded from later negotiations amid bans on her candidacy and government crackdowns. No opposition candidates recognized the July 28 results as legitimate.

1. The Venezuelan presidential candidates' agreement to acknowledge and respect the July 28 electoral results is a significant step towards preserving peace.
2. This agreement was the culmination of negotiations held at the CNE headquarters on June 21, 2024.
3. The document underscored compliance with the Constitution, electoral laws, and the Electoral Power as the sole legitimate authority.
4. The third point of the agreement recognized the CNE's enduring efforts to uphold electoral guarantees and endorsed the July 28 results as the "will of the people."
5. This was in accordance with the Barbados Agreement signed in October 2023 and the Caracas Agreement from February 2024.
6. The remaining points in the accord addressed guarantees for a democratic and peaceful process, rejection of violence and destabilization, upholding national sovereignty and self-determination, and demanding the lifting of US-led sanctions.
7. A history of unilateral measures dating back to 2017 has targeted Venezuela, creating a volatile political climate.
8. In the last section of the agreement, candidates pledged to "reject and denounce any financing from illicit sources."
9. Venezuelan electoral processes have struggled with post-election instability in the past.
10. In 2013, the hardline opposition refused to recognize the electoral results after Maduro's narrow victory over Henrique Capriles.
11. In 2018, the US-backed opposition boycotted the presidential vote and instigated a regime-change strategy.
12. The US government enforced an oil blockade and seized Venezuela's US-based oil subsidiary, CITGO.
13. During the meeting with CNE authorities, Maduro praised the agreement as a "step forward to preserve peace."
14. He noted that the pledge aligned perfectly with the political rights and electoral guarantees established in the October 2023 Barbados Agreement.
15. Signatories of the electoral pledge included Luis Eduardo Martínez, Antonio Ecarri, Daniel Ceballos, Benjamín Rausseo, José Brito, Javier Bertucci, and Claudio Fermín.
16. Opposition candidates hailed from various center and right-wing political parties.
17. The candidate for the US-backed Unity Platform, Edmundo González Urrutia, failed to attend the meeting and refused to sign the document.
18. In response, he stated, "Nobody is going to force me to sign a document with which I do not agree."
19. González labeled the agreement an "imposition" after becoming the unknown figurefronting the hardline opposition in March.
20. Candidate Enrique Marquez of the Centrados party was absent from the signing ceremony, claiming that the agreement was "useless" since candidates had not been consulted.
21. CNE President Elvis Amoroso expressed dismay over the far-right political forces' refusal to sign the agreement.
22. The July 28, 2024 election will feature electronic voting in a one-round election won by plurality.
23. Political parties will have representatives at every polling station, participate in several audits, and enter partial encryption keys to verify results.
24. The CNE has extended invitations to a wide variety of observation missions, including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the African Union, and the United Nations (UN).
25. Over 250 individuals will be welcomed to the election process.
26. In May, the CNE withdrew its invitation to the European Union (EU) following its rejection of foreign interference.
27. The Carter Center will dispatch a technical election observation mission, led by Jennie Lincoln, arriving in Caracas on June 29.
28. The mission will adhere to the memorandum of understanding signed with the CNE and the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, as well as the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers.

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