Retired Army General Raúl Castro called dictator Nicolás Maduro on Monday to congratulate him on the outcome of the elections in Venezuela. "General of the Army Raúl Castro Ruz had a phone conversation with comrade Nicolás Maduro Moros to congratulate him on the electoral victory achieved in today's elections in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela," stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba (MINREX) in an official communiqué.
The official note indicated that the nonagenarian general who holds the reins of the Cuban regime "conveyed to the elected President that the victory achieved by the Venezuelan people constitutes a resounding demonstration of the Civic-Military Union of the Bolivarian and Chavista people." Thanks to this corrupt alliance between military forces and Bolivarian henchmen, designed and implemented from Havana, dictator Maduro "has withstood the negative effects of the unjust unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States Government, violent acts, and interference in Venezuela's internal affairs," according to the Cuban Foreign Ministry.
"The Leader of the Cuban Revolution reaffirmed to comrade Maduro Cuba's solidarity and affection," concluded the brief MINREX note, which joins the congratulations sent by a handful of allied foreign ministries of both non-democratic regimes, such as those of China, Russia, and Iran.
This Monday, after a day of voting marked by tension and marred by violent and controversial incidents orchestrated by Maduro's repressive machinery, the National Electoral Council (CNE) announced Maduro's re-election. The figures presented by the entity serving the Chavista power contradicted by a wide margin those handled by the National Campaign Command of leader Maria Corina Machado and candidate Edmundo González Urrutia.
Immediately, Venezuelans felt once again deceived by rulers clinging to power and determined to deny the evident popular disaffection towards the power they usurp. A wave of protests and rejection from the opposition and a significant portion of the population erupted simultaneously as frustration spread among millions of voters who longed for and saw the moment of change in Venezuela as certain.
Now Havana breathes a sigh of relief following the consummation of the electoral fraud that Venezuelans and the international community feared. However, the initial reactions of international leaders, governments, and foreign ministries in the region and around the world predict a complex scenario in which Maduro's regime authorities will find it very difficult to legitimize their results, questioned for their lack of transparency and the violations committed throughout the process, from the call for elections to the very day of the controversial elections.
Questions About the Venezuelan Election and International Reactions
Given the controversial nature of the Venezuelan election and the reactions it has sparked, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why did Raúl Castro congratulate Nicolás Maduro?
Raúl Castro congratulated Nicolás Maduro to show solidarity and support for the electoral victory in Venezuela, which is seen as a continuation of the Civic-Military Union between Cuba and Venezuela.
What was the reaction of the Venezuelan opposition to the election results?
The Venezuelan opposition reacted with protests and rejection, feeling deceived by what they perceive as an electoral fraud and a denial of the popular will for change.
How has the international community responded to Maduro's re-election?
The international community, including leaders, governments, and foreign ministries, has widely questioned the legitimacy of the election results due to the lack of transparency and reported violations during the electoral process.