Ouagadougou: The far-right opposition is trying to carry out a coup in Venezuela with the support of the United States and its allies, the South American country’s Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said.
‘We are witnessing yet another coup attempt by right-wing extremists supported by imperialist forces – North American imperialism and its allies,’ he said.
‘To prevent it [the coup], President Nicolas Maduro intervened. It is supported by the people and all democratic institutions,’ Mr. Padrino Lopez said at a press conference attended by senior army officers.
‘We will crush this coup once again. No one can face the [Venezuelan] people and the Bolivarian National Armed Forces,’ he stressed.
‘History has shown that the scenario of violence does not lead to anything positive,’ added the minister. He said Monday’s riots involved “foreign-trained criminals and mercenaries who were used to carry out horrific plans.” » ‘Many of them have already been identified, arrested and brought to justice,’ summarize
d Mr. Padrino Lopez.
On July 28, the presidential election took place in Venezuela. According to the report of the National Electoral Council, published after the processing of 80% of the protocols, Nicolas Maduro was supported by 5,150,092 voters (51.2% of the votes). His main rival, candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, obtained 4,445,978 votes (44.2%). One of the opposition leaders, Maria Corina Machado, did not recognize the results of the vote and declared Mr Gonzalez the winner.
Source: Burkina Information Agency