Venezuela’s Machado Calls On Supporters to Boycott Coming Votes

(Bloomberg) — Venezuela’s opposition leader Maria Corina Machado called on her supporters to boycott this year’s regional and parliamentary elections, paving the way for the ruling party to consolidate its control in the country.

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“Until the July 28 election results come into effect, it’s not appropriate to participate in elections of any kind,” Machado said in a video posted on social media. “Voting time and again, without the results being respected, is not defending the vote.”

Venezuela’s opposition contends that President Nicolas Maduro stole the vote in that election to win reelection.

Machado’s remarks come as the electoral authority reviews a joint proposal by the ruling party, allies and even opposition parties containing dates for this year’s votes. It will also include a consultation on a constitutional reform. The move could potentially divide the opposition, which Machado had managed to unite ahead of the presidential election held in July.

Her call marks a return to her usual strategy of seeking to influence elections by encouraging widespread boycotts. In last year’s presidential election, however, she campaigned on behalf of her ally Edmundo Gonzalez after she was prevented from running.

Maduro was sworn in for a third presidential term on Jan. 10, even though he didn’t provide evidence that he won the vote.

The opposition says that Gonzalez won by a landslide, based on the 80% of the voting tabulations it managed to get and divulge. Gonzalez is recognized by the US and other nations as Venezuela’s president-elect.