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Agence France-Presse

Uncertainty hangs over presidential elections in Venezuela Sunday, with incumbent Nicolas Maduro vowing a “bloodbath” if he loses, which polls say is likely.
Seeking a third six-year term at the helm of the economically devastated country, Maduro lags far behind challenger Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia in voter intention.
But the 61-year-old counts on a loyal electoral machinery, military leadership and state institutions in a system of political patronage and, critics say, opposition repression.
Maduro said Thursday that he, and he alone, can “guarantee peace and stability” for Venezuela, having warned recently of a “bloodbath” if he loses to an opposition he has sought to paint as “fascists”.

Analysts have said that violence is likely if the state apparatus intervenes in an election that the opposition is all but certain of winning.
Gonzalez Urrutia, for his part, urged Venezuelans to not let “the message of hate … intimidate you”.
Gonzalez Urrutia, a 74-year-old former diplomat, is running in the place of wildly popular opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, barred from the presidential race by institutions loyal to Maduro on what she and others say are trumped-up corruption charges.
Last week, Venezuelan rights group Foro Penal reported 102 arrests this year of people linked to the opposition campaign, adding to more than 270 “political prisoners” in the country.
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Thursday that Washington hoped for “peaceful elections” and stressed that “any political repression and violence is unacceptable”.
The United States, which has sanctions in place against the Maduro government, is keen for a return to stability in oil-rich Venezuela, whose economic collapse has prompted many migrants to head to the southern US border.
Rights watchdog Human Rights Watch said the United States, European Union, and influential neighbours Brazil and Colombia should use every diplomatic tool to protect the integrity of the vote.
“While the election in Venezuela will hardly be free or fair, Venezuelans have their best chance in over a decade to elect their government, and the international community should have their back as they do,” said HRW Americas director Juanita Goebertus.

The government in Caracas accuses the opposition of conspiring against Maduro, whose 2018 re-election was rejected as illegitimate by most Western and Latin American countries.
Years of tough sanctions and other pressure have failed to dislodge the president, who enjoys support from a political patronage system and the nation’s military leaders, as well as from Cuba, Russia and China.
Maduro has repeatedly vowed that he won’t cede power now even as Venezuelans clamour for change.
The formerly rich petro-state has seen GDP fall by 80 per cent in less than a decade, driving some seven million of its citizens to flee.
Most Venezuelans live on just a few dollars a month, with the healthcare and education systems in total disrepair and biting shortages of electricity and fuel.
The government blames US sanctions for the state of affairs, but observers say the collapse of the country’s all-important oil industry was mainly the result of deep-rooted corruption and mismanagement.
US oil sanctions were briefly eased after Maduro agreed in negotiations with the opposition to hold free and fair elections this year.
They were tightened after Maduro reneged on the conditions, though Washington is allowing companies such as Chevron and Repsol to apply for individual licenses to keep operating in Venezuela.
The election poses the biggest threat yet to 25 years of “Chavismo”, the populist movement founded by Maduro’s predecessor and mentor, Hugo Chavez.
Voter Mercedes Henriques, 68, said at an opposition rally she was excited for change “because we cannot any more with this dictatorship we have”.
But her optimism was tainted by worry. “We are praying that they don’t steal the election,” she said.
Analysts said the president is unlikely to concede defeat, especially in the absence of any immunity guarantees.
The Venezuelan government is under investigation for human rights abuses by the International Criminal Court.
Some 21 million Venezuelans are eligible to cast a vote on Sunday.
Caracas has withdrawn an invitation to European Union experts to observe the vote, while allowing monitors from the UN and the US-based Carter Centre.
Argentina’s former president Alberto Fernandez said Wednesday Caracas had also withdrawn an invitation for him to observe the polling.
This came after he echoed a statement by Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who had said: “Maduro has to learn: if you win, you stay. If you lose, you go”.


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Americas and the Caribbean

Venezuela braces for uncertain presidential election with ‘bloodbath’ threat

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro holds the sword of independence hero Simon Bolivar during a campaign rally. Photo: Reuters

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado waves next to opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia. Photo: AFP

Venezuela’s military has long supported Nicolas Maduro and his predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez. Photo: AFP

Lula ‘scared’ by Maduro’s bloodbath warning ahead of Venezuela vote, president says

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at Planalto palace in Brasilia, Brazil on Monday. Photo: Reuters 

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro during a campaign rally in San Fernando, Apure State, Venezuela on Sunday. Photo: Miraflores Palace / Handout via Reuters

Late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in 2006. Photo: AP 

World leaders rush to size up Harris, but brace for Trump win: ‘ready for both scenarios’

The elevation of Vice-President Kamala Harris as the Democratic front-runner has injected uncertainty into the US election for world leaders already grappling with the implications of Trump’s potential return to the presidency. Photo: AFP

Many world leaders are unsure of Kamala Harris’ foreign policy, and how closely it will be to Joe Biden’s. Photo: TNS

After withdrawing his bid for re-election, US President Joe Biden endorsed his Vice-President Kamala Harris. Photo: TNS

Landslide victory confirmed for Kagame in Rwanda presidential election

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame prepares to cast his ballot in Kigali on July 15. On Monday, the electoral commission confirmed he has won a fourth term. Photo: Reuters

Supporters of Kagame dance during a campaign rally in Kigali, Rwanda. Photo: AP

Workers from the National Electoral Commission and polling agents count ballots in Kinyinya, Gasabo district of Kigali, Rwanda on July 15. Photo: Reuters

News

World

Americas

Nicolas Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, is seeking his third six-year term as Venezuelans clamour for change


Nicolas Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, is seeking his third six-year term as Venezuelans clamour for change.


Venezuela

Colombia