Opposition leader: Capriles' leadership is a win for Venezuela

Executive Secretary of opposition Unified Democratic Panel (MUD) Ramón Guillermo Aveledo highlighted the importance the newfound opposition leader, ex-presidential candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski, had for the opposition and for the country.

Aveledo reckoned that Capriles should continue the consolidation of his leadership nationwide. "We believe that Capriles' leadership is a win for Venezuela. Having such a strong spokesperson for this alternative is very important, it is a great win," he asserted.

Unfair advantages and fear, but not fraud

The MUD Executive Secretary underscored that the opposition had no evidence of electoral fraud. "There was no fraud; however, it is clear that there were unfair advantages and uneven conditions. The President had two days of mandatory radio and television broadcasts; they amounted to 47 hours. The campaign in Venezuela is free, but not fair; however, there was no fraud. We had witnesses in every balloting station and they did a wonderful job under very difficult conditions," he explained.

He said that rumors about an alleged fraud are grounded on "disappointment, sadness, and bitterness given the defeat."

In addition to unfair advantages, Aveledo asserted that a portion of the voters who went to the ballots on October 7 was afraid. "We need to seriously analyze the influence of fear on this election. President Chávez's campaign was based on terrifying the military and the poor, by saying to them that they were going to lose the welfare programs; and also by saying to the population who disagree with his stance that a major crisis could arise and that he (Chávez) was the only guarantor of peace."

According to Aveledo, the opposition expects that more than six million votes against President Hugo Chávez would foster self-criticism of Chávez and openness to dialogue about the country's issues.
Translated by Andreína Trujillo