Nicolás Maduro asks Obama to stop CIA and Pentagon attacks on Caracas

During an act to honor late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez in Apure state, southwest Venezuela, acting president Nicolás Maduro warned that both the CIA and the Pentagon hold the "real power" in the United States, and have plans to launch an attack against Venezuela. Maduro added that US President Barack Obama was just "an actor."

During his speech, the president in charge urged Obama to stop the "insane hawks" seeking to attack Venezuela.

Maduro's statement came in response to a recent declaration by Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson, who said that Venezuela deserved "a free, fair, and transparent vote."

Maduro advocated the statements of director of the National Electoral Council Tibisay Lucena, who rejected Jacobson's remarks as "a true provocation" and "meddling" in Venezuela's domestic affairs.

According to Maduro, US officials are advising Venezuelan dissenters "to withdraw from or sabotage" the presidential election to be held next April 14, in an attempt "to avoid defeat."

Translated by Jhean Cabrera