Voters queue in Venezuela referendum to oust leader
VENEZUELANS yesterday turned out in force for an unofficial referendum called by the opposition to topple the “totalitarian” government of Nicolas Maduro, as the oil-rich country teeters on the brink of civil conflict.
Long lines curled around polling stations across Venezuela as voters turned up to queue from the early hours, many wrapped in the red, yellow and blue of the national flag. Members of the Venezuelan diaspora also voted in large numbers at centres in 360 cities around the world; in London, the queue stretched for four blocks around Bloomsbury Square, forcing organisers to extend voting hours.
Julio Borges, leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, hailed the referendum as a “triumph”.
“The people are demonstrating that democracy, liberty, dignity, progress, that national unity is above any totalitarian pretension,” he said at a press conference before the polls closed.
The day appeared likely to deliver the “overwhelming” vote against Mr Maduro predicted by the opposition – though most government supporters boycotted the polls.
Mr Maduro’s government rejected the vote as illegal and had repeatedly vowed to defend itself with arms, leading to fears of further violence after more than 90 deaths in three months of
‘Democracy, liberty, dignity, progress and national unity is above any totalitarian pretension’
protests. But while there were some reports of pro-government armed groups trying to stop voting, the day largely passed peacefully, Mr Maduro focusing on his own July 30 vote to form a people’s assembly that will rewrite the country’s constitution.
It is this drive – which would allow Mr Maduro to bypass the National Assembly – that triggered yesterday’s plebiscite. Voters were asked three questions: whether they reject the formation of a people’s assembly; whether they demand that the armed forces defend the constitution and the decisions of the National Assembly; and whether they want the formation of a unity government and fresh elections.
The vote was backed by Luisa Ortega Diaz, the country’s rebel attorney general and formerly loyal Chavista who has turned on Mr Maduro over human rights abuses by government forces and the legislative manoeuvring that she says amounts to a coup d’etat.
Mr Maduro has tried to ward off discontent with a combination of threats and gestures, last weekend allowing the transfer of Leopoldo Lopez, a key opposition leader, to house arrest after three years in a military prison.
On Friday, he announced an 80 per cent pay rise for the Bolivarian National Guard, amid increasing signs of discontent in the lower ranks. Earlier this month, the Associated Press reported 102 soldiers have been arrested for crimes such as rebellion and desertion since protests began in April.