Statement on the re-election of President Hugo Chavez

Fri, Oct 12, 2012

by Yoel Perez Marcano
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

The Presidential election of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, held on Sunday, 7th October, is a manifestation of how convincing the Venezuelan democratic system is, and the desire for peace and coexistence of Venezuelans. It is yet another demonstration which strengthens the process of integration of all Latin America and Caribbean people, in the common purpose of defending our independence, sovereignty and social welfare.{{more}}

The Venezuelan people, through their republican institutions, gave a demonstration of democratic maturity as borne out in an overwhelming participation, as never before, in the organization and conduct of the electoral elections; integrating policies at all polling stations, serving as witnesses of the two main coalitions and voting for candidates of their choice, with a consistency that amounted to 80% of an unprecedented number of participants in the national political history. This is significant given that the vote is not obligatory, but a duty that every citizen exercises according to by his/her conscience.

We feel very proud at the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Although only four Venezuelan citizens were registered to vote, two of them attended the poll on Sunday to cast their votes and even though removed from home for some time, we were able to freely express our political preference and support the democratic process of our nation today.

The statement by the National Electoral Council (CNE), on the election results, barely two hours after the voting closed across the country, confirmed the efficiency of the automated system applied in this election. All Venezuelans and the world were able to obtain the results of the elections in quick manner; results that indicated irrefutably, the victory of the incumbent President, Commander Hugo Chavez Frias, with 55.25% of the vote against the main opposition candidate, lawyer and former governor of Miranda state, Henrique Capriles, with the 44.14%, leaving five other candidates with less than 1% figures.

The immediate public declaration by Mr Henrique Capriles, the main opposition candidate, as carried in the press, and on radio and television broadcasts by international stations, recognized the victory of Commander Hugo Chavez Frias, and his call to respect such results and work together for the welfare of the Venezuelan people confirmed the transparency of the elections held on Sunday October 7th, and the willingness to overcome differences expressed in the past, to continue building a democratic and prosperous Venezuela that all Venezuelans want. These are sentiments welcomed by President Chavez who has recognized the democratic behavior of the opposition candidate and most sectors that supported him, and called on the Union to a debate of ideas and to work to build a great country in service of all Venezuelans.

These elections, contrary to what was reported by the media and across communications networks, were monitored and observed by hundreds of representatives of electoral bodies in Latin America and the Caribbean, special guests, as well as dozens of accredited foreign journalists, who were able to move freely throughout the country, interviewing ordinary citizens and representatives of political parties and state institutions responsible for the electoral process. At the end of election day, it could be said, without a doubt, that except for some minor and isolated incidents, the Venezuelan elections were fully democratic and participatory and their results credible, secure and unquestionable.

The final results of this process, allowing the continuation in the office of Commander Hugo Chavez Republic for the period 2013-2018, confirm the will of the majority of the Venezuelan people to continue the process of change towards genuine sovereignty and independence, self development and social justice for the Venezuelan people, in a process of transition to democratic and Bolivarian socialism of the 21st century, which also has as one of its strategic objective, increasing friendship, respect, solidarity and cooperation with all countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

This democratic manifestation of the Venezuelan people is a message for the governments in the main centers of imperial world power, in particular the government of the United States of America. The message is that the Venezuelan people have constructed in these thirteen years, a true participatory democracy, which accepts no intrusion in its internal affairs and rejects any foreign effort to impose a difference in the freedom available to its citizens through free elections. It is this freedom to elect its leader that has won for Venezuela, support of the peoples, political and social leaders and governments of the Americas. They consider the peaceful and democratic revolution in Venezuela a definitive contribution to the independence of our peoples from the domination, oppression and exploitation of foreign powers.

On behalf of the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez Frías, we are thankful for the expressions of affection and solidarity received from the Hon. Prime Minister of the State Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, and other prominent personalities and Vincentians. We say to the people that they can count on the love, friendship and solidarity of Commander Chavez’s government, who defended in his election campaign, the right and responsibility of our people to contribute, within its capabilities, to the development and welfare of our brothers and sisters of Latin America and the Caribbean. After all, Latin America are part and parcel of the unit of the Americas, founded on a pursuit of the Supreme Dream, along with liberator Simon Bolivar, to defeat colonialism, slavery and theft of the wealth of our peoples.