White House Urges Fairness in Venezuela's Controversial Election

The White House has expressed concern regarding potential violence in Venezuela's upcoming election and urged President Nicolas Maduro to ensure a fair and transparent vote. Doubts loom over the election's integrity as opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez challenges Maduro. The U.S. stands firm on promoting peaceful elections and monitoring any political repression.

The White House on Thursday voiced apprehensions about potential violence in Venezuela's Sunday election, urging President Nicolas Maduro to conduct a fair, repression-free vote. Maduro is vying for a third term, facing significant opposition from candidate Edmundo Gonzalez.

'We support peaceful elections that we expect and hope will come on Sunday,' White House spokesperson John Kirby stated during a regular Washington briefing. 'Any political repression and violence is unacceptable.' Kirby also noted the difficulty in predicting whether Maduro could rig the election, but emphasized that the U.S. is closely monitoring the situation.

Concerns have been raised by the opposition and some independent observers about the fairness of the vote. Allegations of electoral decisions and arrests targeting opposition campaign staff are seen as creating obstacles. Gonzalez took over the opposition leadership from Maria Corina Machado, who, despite her popularity and primary win, is barred from public office.

Maduro, a Socialist whose 2018 reelection was rejected as a sham by most Western governments, claims Venezuela has the world's most transparent electoral system. The U.S. reimposed oil sanctions in April, accusing Maduro of failing to uphold agreements ensuring democratic elections.

Kibry acknowledged the U.S.'s concerns about potential violence if the opposition wins. 'If we weren't concerned about the possibility, I wouldn't have mentioned it in the opening statement,' he said, calling for both candidates to commit to a peaceful outcome irrespective of the electoral result.

(With inputs from agencies.)