Maduro Alludes to Potential 'Civil War' in Nearing Presidential Showdown

Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro has accused Venezuela’s political opposition of attempting to trigger a “civil war” within the country. 

According to Iranian media in an article echoing Dictator Maduro’s claims, the autocrat accused opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez of being “Venezuela’s ultra-right” and seeking to “ignite a wave of violence."

Machado and President-elect Gonzalez have been demanding Maduro accept his electoral defeat and commit to a peaceful power transfer. 

Maduro has rejected Machado and Gonzalez’s demands. 

"The only scenario concocted by Venezuela’s Ultra-rights was to ignite a wave of violence," said Maduro as he characterized the opposition’s political efforts as "an attempt to ignite a civil war." 

Maduro has previously floated the idea of a civil war to incite fear in Venezuelans who may be hesitant to join the opposition’s movement. 

However, Gonzalez and Machado have undermined Maduro’s comments and are resolute in their desire to corner Maduro and compel him to democratically abdicate. 

At the Miami World Strategic Forum, The Floridian heard firsthand from Gonzalez his plans to return to Venezuela on Presidential inauguration day to demand he be inaugurated as Venezuela’s rightful president. 

Speaking to Florida International University’s Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom’s director, Carlos Diaz Rosillo, Gonzalez explained he would travel to Venezuela from Spain, where he is currently exiled, to demand he be inaugurated as Venezuela’s rightful president. 

Venezuela’s recent presidential elections have ushered in political instability as Maduro has persecuted dissidents challenging the validity of his presidency. 

Venezuela’s elections follow failed negotiations between Venezuela’s government and President Joe Biden’s administration over electoral assurances in exchange for sanctions relief.

Despite promises of allowing free and fair elections, the Venezuelan regime barred Machado from participating in the same.

However, Machado invested her political capital into former Venezuelan Ambassador Edmundo Gonzalez, who subsequently won the presidential elections.

Despite Gonzalez’s victory, Maduro’s electoral commission declared Maduro as the winner without showing proof of the votes he received. 

Now, all eyes are fixed on January 10th and what Maduro and Gonzalez will do as they both claim a right to the presidency.