With just four days remaining until the presidential elections in Venezuela, the Cuban regime is making a show of support by dispatching several of its operatives to the country, demonstrating its backing for allied dictator Nicolás Maduro. Amid a palpable unease over the election results, Havana is closely watching the growing support of millions of Venezuelans for the candidacy led by Edmundo González Urrutia and spearheaded by María Corina Machado.
Beyond the interference of Cuban G2 agents, the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), and the Ministry of the Interior (MININT)—highlighted by the Organization of American States (OAS) and other international and non-governmental organizations—it's important to remember that Cuban companies and advisors were employed by Maduro to develop the electronic ID card and digital systems for electoral participation and vote counting in Venezuela.
With control over the electoral system, the Cuban regime acts as a safeguard for Chavismo, which, like Havana, seeks to remain in power. But beyond this blatant meddling in Venezuelan affairs, the Cuban regime prominently sends notable State Security agents like Raúl Antonio Capote, who attends as an "international guest" to the Venezuelan elections.
Abel Prieto Jiménez, director of Casa de las Américas, celebrated his presence in Caracas with a tweet saluting "our troops" and asserting that "victory can never be taken from the people of Bolívar and Chávez."
The photo of Capote with Argentine sociologist and leftist dictatorship supporter Atilio Borón was shared by Argentine journalist based in Cuba, Graciela Ramírez, another fervent activist for the spread of socialism in the region. Ironically, Prieto Jiménez shared the image in his tweet with the striking hashtag: #HandsOffVenezuela.
In 2007, Cuban regime companies signed a $172 million agreement with Bolivarian authorities to develop the Venezuelan electronic ID card project. The Cuban company Albet Ingeniería y Sistemas sold programs produced at the University of Information Sciences of Havana.
The agreement not only placed Venezuelan data in Cuban hands but also opened doors for Cuban state enterprises to act as intermediaries and suppliers in the ID chip market. It was an ideal opportunity for the regime to expand its strategic horizons.
"These companies are part of a Cuban strategy to extend their intelligence networks in the region. They are essentially a front for the G2, allowing them to control the ID document issuance systems, which can be granted to anyone," said Anthony Daquin, a former advisor to Venezuela's Ministry of the Interior, who participated in the provider selection processes for electronic ID and passport systems, in 2013.
However, in May 2018, Cuban writer and political scientist Carlos Alberto Montaner dismissed the notion of Cuban meddling from a sinister computing center on the island in those elections.
"It was simpler, more immediate, with competent Venezuelan technicians handling the dirty work. Once voting was officially completed, Smartmatic, the electronic organizer of the elections funded by Chavismo, would get the real total and calculate the size of the necessary fraud to 'win.' Virtual votes would then be fabricated, dispersed throughout the electoral geography, and added to the final tally. If the opposition demanded a manual recount, it would be delayed or denied, as happened to Henrique Capriles in 2013," Montaner explained.
According to Montaner, "This was confirmed beyond doubt in August 2017, when Antonio Mugica, president of Smartmatic, now a reputable company based in London, revealed that the elections for the illegal Constituent National Assembly had been rigged with a million fake virtual votes."
Recently, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva revealed that he was shocked to hear Maduro state that if he loses the upcoming Sunday elections in Venezuela, there will be "a bloodbath" in the country. "I was shocked by that statement," Lula told the EFE agency.
The Brazilian leader said he spoke twice with Maduro, warning him that "if you want to help resolve Venezuela's growth issues and bring back those who left, you must respect the democratic process."
Lula clarified that in a democracy, "the loser gets a flood of votes, not a bloodbath," and that "Maduro must learn that when you win, you stay, and when you lose, you leave and prepare for the next elections."
Impact of Cuban Involvement in Venezuelan Elections
Given the significant Cuban involvement in Venezuelan elections, several critical questions arise about the extent and implications of this interference. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
How has Cuban involvement influenced Venezuelan elections?
Cuban involvement has significantly influenced Venezuelan elections by providing technical and logistical support, including developing electronic ID systems and digital vote counting mechanisms. This has helped to ensure the continuity of Chavismo in power.
Who are some key Cuban figures involved in Venezuelan electoral affairs?
Key Cuban figures involved include Raúl Antonio Capote, a notable State Security agent, and Abel Prieto Jiménez, director of Casa de las Américas. These individuals have been active in supporting Nicolás Maduro and the Chavista regime during elections.
What role did Smartmatic play in Venezuelan elections?
Smartmatic, an electronic voting company, played a crucial role by organizing the elections and calculating the extent of fraud needed for Chavismo to "win." This included fabricating virtual votes and manipulating electoral results.