Washington, August 27 (RHC)-- U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton says that the U.S. would oppose, before they are even held, Venezuela's legislative elections, announced last week by the National Constituent Assembly, despite the fact that early elections have long been a demand of the opposition.
The comments come as the head of Venezuela's National Constituent Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, announced last week that “whatever happens, there will be parliamentary elections in Venezuela before December 31, 2020.”
Diosdado Cabello also stressed the legitimacy of the upcoming elections, saying: “It is important to remind people that in 2015 parliamentary elections were held and that the election was won by the opposition. In addition, it must be remembered that they won with the same electoral system that we have now, and with the participation of observers and international companions.”
Nevertheless, John Bolton took to Twitter this week to say that he would support self-proclaimed president Juan Guaido’s decision “to oppose any early legislative elections,” despite fresh elections being an opposition demand.
The decision by the opposition, and the U.S., to boycott democratic elections has long been a tactic. In a recent interview with the Grayzone, President Nicolas Maduro pointed out that Venezuela’s opposition boycott elections when they feel they cannot win democratically.
President Maduro has also highlighted that in the past 20 years, Chavista forces have won 23 out of 25 elections held. With all elections being held with an electoral system praised internationally and with international observers.