MUD: On February 14, everybody will raise winner's arm

Ramón Guillermo Aveledo, the executive secretary and spokesman of Venezuelan opposition umbrella group Unified Democratic Panel (MUD), has no fear about a possible breakdown of opposition unity after primaries. "We are facing a very demanding process and we are conducting primary elections because we are united. We have a political platform with contents," he said.

Aveledo recalled that to consolidate unity the opposition alliance is taking lessons from the Spanish, Chilean and Nicaraguan experiences. "To the extent that political forces remain united we will be bringing a sense of normalcy and stability. This will allow us to make peaceful change."

Aveledo proclaimed that on February 14 all the opposition pre-candidates will raise the winners' arms. "We will really be supporting them, from the bottom of our hearts."

Veiled threats

The MUD leader said Thursday that the threats on public servants intended to prevent them from voting in the opposition primaries show that the ruling party is "scared."

"The Government is frightened and this is the reason why it wants to scare all Venezuelans with its veiled threats."

Aveledo reiterated the steps that the opposition alliance has taken to ensure the secrecy of vote such as the destruction of the vote records 48 hours after elections. He added that it is up to the voter to stain the finger after completing the vote. "The voter can claim that he/she has the right not to stain the finger."

The MUD Executive Secretary underscored that the members of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) are also welcome to vote.

According to Aveledo, if the opposition wins a majority vote in the National Assembly to be elected in a few years, "we can draft a Law on Primary Elections" that will allow people to choose the presidential candidate through primaries. "As a result, even the members of the PSUV will be given the right to choose their candidate," he concluded.

Translated by Gerardo Cárdenas