Venezuelan citizens wait to cast their votes at a polling station during the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, May 20, 2018. REUTERS/Marco Bello
Reuters: Maduro set for victory amid tepid turnout in condemned Venezuela vote
CARACAS/BARQUISIMETO, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was seeking a six-year term on Sunday in an apparently poorly attended vote condemned by foes as the “coronation” of a dictator and likely to bring fresh foreign sanctions.
With the mainstream opposition boycotting the election, two of his most popular rivals barred from standing and state institutions in loyalists’ hands, the 55-year-old former bus driver is expected to win despite his unpopularity.
That could trigger oil sanctions from Washington, and more censure from the European Union and Latin America.
The self-described “son” of Hugo Chavez says he is battling an “imperialist” plot to crush socialism and take over the OPEC member’s oil wealth. But opponents say the leftist leader has destroyed Venezuela’s once-wealthy economy and ruthlessly crushed dissent.
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WNU Editor: My friends who live in neighboring Guyana and who are monitoring the situation in Venezuela are telling me that no one is showing up to vote. A reader of this blog from Venezuela who has sent me over the past two years his version on what is happening in his country is telling me the same thing .... no one is at the polls .... just soldiers and a few government workers. My other readers in other neighboring countries are also verifying these accounts. Unfortunately .... it is not going to make a difference. The electoral commission is run by supporters of Maduro .... they are going to certify a massive turnout, and an overwhelming victory for President Maduro. And I am still sticking to my earlier prediction that they will announce either tonight or tomorrow he won with almost 60% of the vote.
