Nicolás Maduro, who took the oath as president of Venezuela despite popular rejection, appeared defiant and stated that he is "prepared" to defend the sovereignty of his country along with the governments of Cuba and Nicaragua.
During his speech at the inauguration ceremony for his third consecutive term despite widespread rejection both nationally and internationally, the leader stated that Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua are prepared to face any threat with "arms" if necessary.
"Venezuela is preparing alongside Cuba and Nicaragua, along with our elder brothers from around the world, so that if one day we must take up arms to defend the right to peace, the right to sovereignty, and the historical rights of our homeland, we will fight and win again," Maduro expressed in a speech that resonated with his usual combative tone.
The president added, "We were not born on the day of the cowards or the timid, we are not lukewarm leaders; we are the Bolivarian revolution of the 21st century."
In his speech, Maduro did not hesitate to deliver a threatening message: "Let no one be mistaken about Venezuela; if it's through peaceful means, we will move forward peacefully; and if it's through force, we will also defeat them, so that they may respect us."
These words align with the constant narrative of confrontation that the Chavista regime refers to as "imperialism" and the foreign powers, particularly the United States and Europe, which do not recognize him as an elected president.
The swearing-in ceremony, which took place this Friday, marked the beginning of his new term amidst a climate of popular discontent and international rejection due to the alleged theft of electoral results, which would have declaredopposition leader Edmundo González as the clear winner.
The presidential elections of July 2024 were questioned by the opposition and various foreign governments, who reported irregularities in the electoral process.
Despite the accusations, Maduro proclaimed himself the winner and took office before thousands of supporters at an event that was widely criticized by the international community.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Political Situation in Venezuela and Nicolás Maduro's Stance
Why does Nicolás Maduro claim to be ready for war alongside Cuba and Nicaragua?
Nicolás Maduro has declared that he is "prepared" to defend the sovereignty of Venezuela alongside the governments of Cuba and Nicaragua, facing any threat with "arms" if necessary. These statements align with his narrative of confrontation against "U.S. and European imperialism", which do not recognize him as the legitimate president due to irregularities in the 2024 electoral process.
What has been the international reaction to Nicolás Maduro's re-election?
The international community has shown a divided response. Several countries and international organizations have denounced the electoral process as fraudulent and have recognized Edmundo González as the legitimate elected president. On the other hand, some of Maduro's allies, such as Cuba, Nicaragua, Russia, and China, have expressed their support for his reelection.
What has happened to the opposition leaders in Venezuela after the 2024 elections?
The opposition leaders, such as Edmundo González and María Corina Machado, have denounced electoral fraud and have faced repression from the Maduro regime. González has been recognized as the legitimate president by several countries and is currently in exile in Spain, while Machado has been a victim of temporary detentions and harassment by the regime's forces.
What is Cuba's stance on the political situation in Venezuela?
Cuba, under the leadership of Miguel Díaz-Canel, has reaffirmed its support for Nicolás Maduro’s regime, despite allegations of electoral fraud. The Cuban government has accused the Venezuelan opposition of being "guarimberos" and attempting to destabilize the region, while continuing to support the actions of the Chávez regime in Venezuela.
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