“Neither Free Nor Fair”: Trump Admin Condemns “Fraudulent Election” in Venezuela

President Donald Trump signs an executive order, left, while Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, right, attends a signing ceremony. (Photos: Reuters/Miraflores Palace/Handout)

The Trump Administration said “the fraudulent election” that took place in Venezuela was “neither free nor fair,” calling returns “the illegitimate result” of a “fake process.”

Vice President Mike Pence:

Venezuela’s election was a sham ­– neither free nor fair. The illegitimate result of this fake process is a further blow to the proud democratic tradition of Venezuela. Every day, thousands of Venezuelans flee brutal oppression and grinding poverty – literally voting with their feet. The United States will not sit idly by as Venezuela crumbles and the misery of their brave people continues. America stands against dictatorship and with the people of Venezuela. The Maduro regime must allow humanitarian aid into Venezuela and must allow its people to be heard.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo:

The United States condemns the fraudulent election that took place in Venezuela on May 20. This so-called “election” is an attack on constitutional order and an affront to Venezuela’s tradition of democracy. Until the Maduro regime restores a democratic path in Venezuela through free, fair, and transparent elections, the government faces isolation from the international community.

Sunday’s process was choreographed by a regime too unpopular and afraid of its own people to risk free elections and open competition. It stacked the Venezuelan courts and National Electoral Council with biased members aligned with the regime. It silenced dissenting voices. It banned major opposition parties and leaders from participating. As of May 14, more than 338 political prisoners remained jailed, more than in all other countries in the hemisphere combined. The regime stifled the free press. State sources dominated media coverage, unfairly favoring the incumbent. Most contemptible of all, the regime selectively parceled out food to manipulate the votes of hungry Venezuelans.

The Maduro regime fails to defend the Venezuelan people’s right to democracy as reflected in the Inter-American Democratic Charter. The United States stands with democratic nations in support of the Venezuelan people and will take swift economic and diplomatic actions to support the restoration of their democracy.

The Inter-American Democratic Charter was adopted in Lima, Peru on September 11, 2001 after a special session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States.

The inter-American agreement intended on strengthening and upholding democratic institutions in the region. The Charter, which is binding on all 34 of the currently active OAS member states, spells out what democracy entails and specifies how it should be defended when it is under threat.