Maduro claims Ecuador and the ‘international far-right’ are trying to sabotage May election
Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro is blaming the Ecuadorian government and Colombian “extremists” for attempting to disrupt Venezuela’s May 25 elections for the national congress and municipal offices. “The Albanian mafia, which rules Ecuador, and Colombian far-right mercenaries tried in enter Venezuelan territory to plant bombs to disrupt the democratic election,” Maduro said Wednesday. “These criminals have been captured and if any more attempt to infiltrate they will be captured too.”
Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro
Maduro, who international observers say rigged the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election to remain in office, claimed that “all state functions” are on alert to find and bring to justice the “international saboteurs.”
“We will prove to the world, once again, our great commitment to democracy,” Maduro added.
According to Maduro, Erik Prince, founder of the Blackwater security company, is leading the effort to disrupt the election, and is “taking orders” from Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa and drug mafias in Albania.
On Monday, Venezuela suspended airline flights from Colombia, insisting it was the primary route for terrorists entering the country. Venezuela Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello claims the police and military captured 38 mercenaries, including 17 foreigners, who were planning to sabotage the elections. Cabello said most of the foreigners arrived on flights from Bogota and Medellin.
In his news conference, Maduro “highlighted” the strength of democracy in Venezuela, claiming the country has held 31 “fair and open elections” since the Bolivarian Revolution won control of the country in 1999. He also criticized the international media for not reporting on the election.
In Quito, a spokesman for Noboa said Maduro’s accusations are baseless. “They are absurd and laughable, coming from a man who has no respect for the democratic process. As President [Luiz] Lula da Silva [of Brazil] said, Maduro is not only stupid, but he is crazy too.”
