The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
April 18, 2013

Maduro Blasts Kerry for Rejecting Venezuelan Election Win 
----------------------------------------------------------


 
The Obama administration continues to stoke tensions with Venezuelan
president Nicolás Maduro following Maduro's narrow election victory. On
Wednesday, Secretary of State John Kerry said he does not know if the
United States will recognize Maduro's defeat of opposition leader
Henrique Capriles Radonski and renewed his call for a recount.
Venezuela's electoral council has rejected a recount, saying it is
impossible the result was flawed. At a meeting with state governors,
Maduro rejected Kerry's comments.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro: "Who are you to talk about
Venezuela with the many problems the United States has, economic, social
and political problems that are overwhelming the people of the United
States? Take your eyes off Venezuela, stop with the scripted
intervention. Close your eyes when listening to a U.S. government
official and you're listening to any of these bourgeoisie leaders. They
(U.S.) will not recognize (the election result). We don't care about
recognition, we decided freely and we will be free and independent, with
or without you. We don't care about your opinion."

Henrique Capriles formally submitted his recount request on Wednesday.
He was quoted as saying in the weeks before the vote that Maduro
shouldn't remain in office even in victory. Capriles said: "Whatever the
outcome, I don't see how Nicolás Maduro has the capacity to stay for an
extended time in government. He will have to resign, abandon (the
presidency) if he's able to win."

 

.